Why Not More Cluster Weapons in 'The Expanse'?

Space is vast, and so are the challenges of waging war in it. The popular science fiction series The Expanse has painted a vivid picture of space warfare dynamics, showcasing advanced weaponry such as railguns and missile systems. These technologies are tailored to the unique physics and tactical needs of space combat. However, why do the space navies in the show not utilize cluster weapons like the CBU-97 more often?

Space Warfare Dynamics

The combat in The Expanse is driven by high-thrust, high-efficiency drives that can propel enormous space warships at high accelerations for days on end. Unlike terrestrial conflicts, where weapons like the CBU-97 can effectively target large groups of infantry and vehicles, the unique environment and technological context of space combat make such weapons less practical.

Cluster Munitions in Reality

The CBU-97 is a 450-kilogram aircraft-launched freefall bomb that carries 10 BLU-108 submunitions. Each BLU-108 contains four skeets, which are essentially "hockey-puck-shaped" submunitions. As the submunitions fall, they scan for potential targets and launch solid projectiles, which can penetrate thin armor and create hazardous minefields.

The Advanced Technological Context of Space Warfare

In The Expanse, space warships engage each other with guided missiles at long range and rail guns at shorter ranges. The high rate of fire point-defense cannons are used to engage missiles at very short range. These warships travel at speeds in the low thousands of kilometers per second, with relative speeds at engagement points much lower. Consider an Expanse missile, which could travel the equivalent distance of halfway around Earth’s equator in just one second due to its high delta-v potential.

With such rapidly moving targets, the kinetic energy of a single missile is immense. A 15000 km/s missile would have a relative kinetic energy of around 2.3 Megatons of TNT against a stationary target. Even with nuclear warheads, the explosive effect is limited due to the vacuum of space. Therefore, the utility of traditional area denial weapons like the CBU-97 is severely reduced in space.

Strategic Considerations in Space

Cluster munitions are area denial weapons that are effective when targets are congregated or moving slowly. In space, however, the vastness of the battlefield and the constant movement of everything on it make such weapons largely ineffective. Even if a CBU-97 were deployed, friendly ships would likely be tens of kilometers apart, and the submunitions would not have enough time to spread out effectively.

Conclusion

While cluster weapons like the CBU-97 are effective in certain terrestrial conflicts, the technological and environmental context of space combat in The Expanse makes them less practical. Advanced railguns, guided missiles, and high-speed point-defense cannons better suit the needs of space warfare.

Understanding the dynamics of space warfare in The Expanse helps us appreciate the unique challenges and strategies involved in this form of conflict. The show's creators have tailored the weaponry and tactics to ensure that they are both plausible and engaging for viewers.