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2006-02-18 Science & Technology

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Posted by Anonymoose 2006-02-18 00:00|| || Front Page|| [1 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 When the Russians detect a launch, how much time do their systems take before they know it is not targeted in a first strike capable profile. Will they wait?

Stick to cruise missiles.

Posted by Thrineper Spigum8159 2006-02-18 07:54|| 2006-02-18 07:54|| Front Page Top

#2 ...What is making me smile about this is that Jim Dunnigan - who runs StrategyPage - was advocating this 20+ years ago.
One other thought - is it possible that under the treaty, the missiles can be retained if they don't have nuclear warheads? After all, WE play by the rules and would probably be more than willing to let Official Inspectors(TM) have a look.

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2006-02-18 09:16|| 2006-02-18 09:16|| Front Page Top

#3 TS8159 -
Russian early warning systems are...adequate. We would almost have to give them some kind of warning, however. A Trident strike against Iran would most likely come out of the IO, and that would look an awful lot like a first strike.

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2006-02-18 09:18|| 2006-02-18 09:18|| Front Page Top

#4 Mike:
Under the treaty, the delivery vehicles must be destroyed. The INF treaty of 1987 was the same thing. We couldn't convert the Pershings and cruise missiles to conventional; they had to be crushed.
Ironically, the warheads didn't need to be destroyed.

Posted by Jackal">Jackal 2006-02-18 10:18|| http://home.earthlink.net/~sleepyjackal/index.html]">[http://home.earthlink.net/~sleepyjackal/index.html] 2006-02-18 10:18|| Front Page Top

#5 Jackal,
Thanks for the clarification. How many of the D5s are to be scrapped?

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2006-02-18 11:43|| 2006-02-18 11:43|| Front Page Top

#6 How much kinetic energy would one of these bunker busters from on high carry? Would you even need explosives?

Posted by Classical_Liberal 2006-02-18 16:05|| 2006-02-18 16:05|| Front Page Top

#7 I dunno, but something weighing as much as a dump truck and travelling at three and a half miles per second is gonna leave a welt.

Posted by Dave D.">Dave D. 2006-02-18 16:14|| 2006-02-18 16:14|| Front Page Top

#8 1000 yrs from now - some archeologist will wonder why Iran entombed their scientists with crappy centrifuges and radioactive material

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2006-02-18 16:49|| 2006-02-18 16:49|| Front Page Top

#9 CL, agreed. That's about the only application that makes sense.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-02-18 17:16|| 2006-02-18 17:16|| Front Page Top

#10 I would imagine most of the vehicle is destroyed by atmospheric heating, leaving only that portion of the missile protected by a heat shield to engage the target.

Posted by 6 2006-02-18 19:55|| 2006-02-18 19:55|| Front Page Top

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