Article

2004-03-24 Russia

More on the Russian Battle-cruiser "about to explode"

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Posted by Evert Visser in NL 2004-03-24 5:08:03 AM|| || Front Page|| [11131 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 "The expiration date on the missle" Is that the use by date? Good thing the Soviet Uniond fell apart in '89.

Posted by Mr. Davis 2004-3-24 10:09:50 AM|| 2004-3-24 10:09:50 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 ...The "Best When Used By" date deserves a bit of explanation.
The Soviets had a dickens of a time developing reliable solid fuel systems like we did, so liqid fuel was their standard for years. (I think it is just in the last generation or so that they have gotten SF units they can count on). On top of that, they were loath to even let a single missile down for any kind of maintenance lest someone call and ask why the missile wasn't ready.
They essentially went to a 'wooden round' philosophy - where you drop the missile into the hole, fuel it, lock the cover and walk away...for as long as fifteen years. That philosophy eventually spread to the fleet as well, which would explain that administrative launch.
This worked as far as the land based deterrent went, but as a practical matter it does bring into question how well they would have worked when suddenly called for. Supposedly they launched one not long ago that had sat for thirteen years, but I have my doubts that it was just pulled out and fired, as the report suggests. Even as reliable as our systems are, they're still yanked out, torn apart and checked from head to toe at regular intervals. The ~~Sov~~, excuse me, the Russians never did that. Would have been interesting to see what a mass, no notice launch would have looked like.

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2004-3-24 10:58:32 AM|| 2004-3-24 10:58:32 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 This ought to calm down that "round the world" cruise noise they occasionally come out with. Don't think we'll be hearing any of that for awhile.

Posted by tu3031 2004-3-24 11:12:33 AM|| 2004-3-24 11:12:33 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 umm... if the cruiser is about to explode, wouldn't you want to order it away from port?

Posted by BH 2004-3-24 11:14:10 AM|| 2004-3-24 11:14:10 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 Mike, I suspect it would look like July 4th in NYC, festive but not very dangerous.

Posted by Chuck Simmins 2004-3-24 11:38:34 AM|| [http://blog.simmins.org] 2004-3-24 11:38:34 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 Mike K. Tell me it wasn't hydrazine they were using....

Posted by Shipman 2004-03-24 2:41:03 PM|| 2004-03-24 2:41:03 PM|| Front Page Top

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