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| Science & Technology |
| Raytheon Unveils New Bunker-Busting Technology |
| 2008-03-13 |
| During a Jan. 31 test, the newly developed 1,000-pound-class warhead set a record when it punched through 19 feet, 3 inches of a 20-foot, 330-ton, steel rod-reinforced concrete block rated at 12,600 pounds per square inch compressive strength. In fewer than 10 milliseconds, the explosion delivered into the target more than 110 million foot-pounds of energy via a high- velocity jet of molten metal. Raytheon's large shape-charged test was the first against a target built to withstand more than 10,000 psi. Most conventional weapons in the same weight class as Raytheon's precursor warhead cannot penetrate targets rated at more than 6,000 psi. |
| Posted by:3dc |
| #4 guys, this is the "kick the door down" with F-22s and F-35s achieving air supremacy against the enemies Integrated Air Defense and then the B-52s come in with the 2,000 pound JDAMs or whatever else you want. Although I haven't checked lately, I think an H model as currently configured can carry 27 2000 pounders. |
| Posted by: RWV 2008-03-13 23:03 |
| #3 "How many of those could a flight of stealth fighters (F-22, 35) carry?" Um well lets see at 1000lb thats roughly the same weight warhead as a mk84 at 945lbs with a 2000lb launch weight. So since it would most likely be in the 2000lb JDAM class the answer would be zero internally and probably up to 4-6 externally at best. |
| Posted by: Valentine 2008-03-13 19:14 |
| #2 I think a 'tuned' array of shaped charges could be very effective. If a charge can be designed with a blast focussed forward and laterally, and not backwards (and it can), and if a second shaped charge can be set up to hit exactly the same spot in 'harmony' with the first charge, (and so on and so on) then one could 'burrow' one heck of a hole. For an analogy, think of pushing your kid on a swing set - a series of well-timed small pushes can really get that swing moving. The key is timing (and aim); make a 'string of pearls', connected by chain or rod of appropriate length and have a series of shaped small blasts really knock on the door. |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2008-03-13 18:27 |
| #1 This should make things interesting for those designing, paying for and relying on deep, hardened bunkers. Three or four of these in one spot should make an interesting hole. How many of those could a flight of stealth fighters (F-22, 35) carry? |
| Posted by: tipover 2008-03-13 17:05 |