The Global Positioning System was initially used to guide cruise missiles, among other things. So there is one example.

There are examples of some applications to the civillian sector that have not or would not have had a positive influence. For example, I read somewhere (can't find a reference now) that the US Government considered using nukes to blast a corridor through some mountains for a highway, but concluded having to wait for the background count to subside sufficiently was not practical. I'll try to find a reference on that later.