Article

2015-10-26 Afghanistan

Meet the impressive guns protecting U.S. bases from rocket attacks in Afghanistan

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Posted by Sven the pelter 2015-10-26 00:00|| || Front Page|| [7 views ] Top

#1 Concern in the WaPo comments section about the rounds coming down someplace. Discussion about whether they'r solid shot or HE timed to explode in the air and come down as mostly harmless shreds. Most ADA HE rounds, from WW II on, had that capacity, including, iirc, 20mm fired from fighters because you might be fighting over your own territory.
Anyway, whatever they do, it's better for the civilians that 155mm counterbattery fire.

Posted by Richard Aubrey 2015-10-26 07:55|| 2015-10-26 07:55|| Front Page Top

#2 They aren't proximity rounds; the system is designed to basically shred the target using a high rate of fire.

Posted by Pappy 2015-10-26 13:05|| 2015-10-26 13:05|| Front Page Top

#3 The US Navy is no stranger to this system.

Phalanx CIWS Close In Weapons System • Live Fire Test

Posted by Sven the pelter 2015-10-26 17:43|| 2015-10-26 17:43|| Front Page Top

#4 The C-RAM uses frangible ammunition that explode after tracer burn out so that intact 20mm shells don't fall back to earth.

Posted by Betty Hitler2611 2015-10-26 17:59|| 2015-10-26 17:59|| Front Page Top

#5 frangible -- pre-fragmented is probably a better descriptor.

Posted by Betty Hitler2611 2015-10-26 18:20|| 2015-10-26 18:20|| Front Page Top

#6 I am surprised that they would use anything other than depleted uranium. Things are moving rather quickly for something that takes so long as a fragmentation explosion. But maybe they aren't trying to stop a supersonic cruise missile in a full power terminal dive.

Posted by Sven the pelter 2015-10-26 18:26|| 2015-10-26 18:26|| Front Page Top

#7 DU isn't used more for political-fallout reasons,

Posted by Pappy 2015-10-26 18:46|| 2015-10-26 18:46|| Front Page Top

#8 Well that's one way to reach out and ~~touch~~ kick someone!

Posted by CrazyFool 2015-10-26 18:51|| 2015-10-26 18:51|| Front Page Top

#9 The depleted part means that it is 40% less radioactive. It can only hurt you if you ~~are hit and some how manage to survive~~ingest it. Setting next to it won't hurt you.

If it was my a*s being protected I would want them to use depleted uranium.

Posted by Sven the pelter 2015-10-26 18:53|| 2015-10-26 18:53|| Front Page Top

#10 Agreed, but again, it's a political-image issue.

Posted by Pappy 2015-10-26 20:57|| 2015-10-26 20:57|| Front Page Top

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