US to test "Mother of All Bombs" (MOAB) in Florida

[onejayhawk]

Something this large would almost always be used for psych effect. Few other genuine applications exist. The really scary ones IMHO are a the fuel/air assortment and the cluster munitions.

J

PS Post 1200

 

[onejayhawk]

double post

 

[Grille]

Originally posted by onejayhawk
Something this large would almost always be used for psych effect.

Yeah, but most dictators seem to fade away from reality by time. So they don't have fears about a giant bomb or something. And currently US forces are way ahead to pick on Iraq w/o super bomb. I guess the psychological thing won't have any effect.

 

[SewerStarFish]

I thought the purpose of war was to break things and kill people. MOAB sure fits that bill. I've heard that there were certain fortified bunkers that were built with the"Daisycutter" in mind. Now they're obsolete.

While we can all wistfully dream of day when non-lethal weapons can end all war and oppression, until then I want my side to have all the really big sticks.

 

[napoleon526]

Republican Guard Takes the Hint

 

[Grille]

Who will have serious problems then?

from site mentioned above
"That's it!", one Republican Guard muttered, "we aren't going to be turned into human marshmallows for this madman."

 

[Duke of Marlbrough]

Originally posted by Grille
Yeah, but most dictators seem to fade away from reality by time. So they don't have fears about a giant bomb or something. And currently US forces are way ahead to pick on Iraq w/o super bomb. I guess the psychological thing won't have any effect.

It's not meant to have an affect on the leader, but the men who may be fighting for him. The ones who may be dying to try and protect him. If he has no one supporting him, then he is just an ex-leader.

 

[Grille]

I understand your point & generally agree. But I'm confused about Iraq's people still supporting Hussein, as his politics (or international reactions on it) really cripples them. He was at war during the '80s and embargoed during '90s and now the situation is even worse. So Hussein's dictatorship is based on a hard-core cortege (it is known that he had put the *right* people on right powerful positions). The folks below don't have the power to deny him. If the (standing alone) guard's leader does, I guess he'll be replaced (as the guard is only one instrument and there are other organizations like intelligence service, police, army and such).

 

[Lt. 'Killer' M.]

hrm, hrm.... soandsomany tons of TNT - there is a HUGE difference between a neclear blast in the 15-20 kton range and 10,000 kg of TNT. Why? because you will not get the TNT to explode simultaneously, thus you will indeed create an explosion that will blast part of the TNT apat BEFORE it is triggered..... So essentially you end up with a blast that has a lot less power in the all important pressure wave......

still, with electronic switches and shaped charges it can be an awefull blast....



on the otehr hand I heard on the radio that 'the explosion may last up to 15 seconds' - this sounds more like a fuel-air-explosive......



bye everyone.....

 

[Switch625]

It is similar to a fuel-air explosive, in that a cloud of combustible material is released, and then ignited. But a FAE cannot be built on this scale, as a FAE relies on atmospheric oxygen to ignite. The cloud of "fuel" would be too big and not be able to detonate properly. Part of the explosion would choke the rest of it by stealing oxygen. This bomb, and the so-called "daisy cutter" before it, uses a pre-oxidized combustible material which eliminates that problem.

 

[onejayhawk]

Originally posted by Switch625
It is similar to a fuel-air explosive, in that a cloud of combustible material is released, and then ignited. But a FAE cannot be built on this scale, as a FAE relies on atmospheric oxygen to ignite. The cloud of "fuel" would be too big and not be able to detonate properly. Part of the explosion would choke the rest of it by stealing oxygen. This bomb, and the so-called "daisy cutter" before it, uses a pre-oxidized combustible material which eliminates that problem.

In other words rocket fuel. IIRC this bomb is intended to be an area effect weapon, hence a fuel/air type effect, so that would make a lot of sense.

Wait a minute, did I say the Army made sense. To much rum in that coke. Gotta go clean the...

J

 

[allan2]

Originally posted by EzInKy


I don't remember a referendum on what type of bomb to develop. Have to have faith in our representatives though. Still, research in non-lethal means wouldn't be a bad thing. We can generate an pulse that temporarily disables electronics. If the same could be done to humans yet leaving the basic functions intact that control respirations and heart rate you would have a truly awe inspiring weapon. Think of it...the "bad guys" are all set to "die for God and Country", they lose consciousness, and wake up only to find themselves surrounded by "good guy" forces. It would scare the bejeezes out of them.

How about a chemical warhead filled with nitrous oxide (laughing gas)? Or something with a sedative effect. Or maybe super-concentrated THC--producing an effect like those Roman charioteers in "History of the World Part I", lol....

 

[Obssesed Nuker]

Originally posted by Stile
Thank God for all these threats from 'diplomatic repercussions' and 'public opinion', or, as seems to be the opinion of several posts, the US would just use nuclear weopon with no thought of radiating large areas and creating fallout. Heck, without diplomatic repercussions we might just create a bomb that spews out radiation while not blowing anything up, instead of the other way around.

We have that you know. Its called a nuetron bomb