U.S. drops massive bombs on Taliban

MSNBC ^

[rlbedfor]

Nov. 5 — The United States has begun using the biggest conventional weapon in its arsenal over northern Afghanistan, NBC News has learned, dropping two BLU-82 “daisy cutter” bombs last weekend on troops of the ruling Taliban militia. Use of the 15,000-pound bombs — which leave craters as wide as five football fields — marked a dramatic increase in firepower over northern Afghanistan aimed at helping the opposition Northern Alliance launch a major offensive in the north...

[rlbedfor]

Ouch!!!

[mattdono]

"You might want to put some ice on that."

[Illbay]

Heard this report on the CBS Radio news just a little while ago. They said the bomb is so huge it takes a CARGO aircraft to deliver it, and it deploys a parachute to slow it's fall so the aircraft can leave the scene before it goes *boom!*

[eureka!]

"which leave craters as wide as five football fields "

According to Reuters and CNN, it leaves craters that will "devour 6 orphanges, 11 children's hospitals and 10 senior citizens' homes".../sarcasm

[Fulbright]

I'm still holding out for things in the 5-20 MT range.

[rlbedfor]

That's one heck of a puppy barbecue.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Just think, people...what IF:

Jimmy Carter had be re-elected in 1980, Walter Mondale in '84 and/or Mike Dukakis in '88, how MUCH WORSE shape our military would be in?

THINK how much BETTER shape our military would be in IF Clinton had not been there to eviscerate the hardware and DEMORALIZE the personnel!!

This should be a wake up call to America to NEVER TRUST LIBERALS WITH THE MILITARY.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Think of them as "7.5 kiloton bombs."

It make them sound even better.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

As K.C. and the Sunshine Band would sing.......

"That's the way... uh huh... uh huh... I like it.....uh huh...uh huh...That's the way........"

[Always Right]

According to Reuters and CNN, it leaves craters that will "devour 6 orphanges, 11 children's hospitals and 10 senior citizens' homes".../sarcasm

Sarcasm like that will get you a job at CNN.

[Principled]

I hope we have lots of thos BLU 82 thingys.

[rlbedfor]

BLU-82 - Dumb Bombs

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BLU-82 Commando Vault

The BLU-82B/C-130 weapon system, nicknamed Commando Vault, is the high altitude delivery of a 15,000 pound general purpose bomb from a C-130. This system depends upon the accurate positioning of the aircraft by either a fixed ground radar or onboard navigation equipment. The ground radar controller or aircrew navigator as applicable, is responsible for positioning the aircraft prior to final countdown and release. Primary aircrew considerations include accurate ballistic and wind computations provided by the navigator, and precision instrument flying with strict adherence to controller instructions. The minimum altitude for release due to blast effects of the weapon is 6,000 feet AGL.

The BLU-82 is a 15,000 pound GP bomb originally designed to clear helicopter landing zones in Vietnam. The warhead contains 12,600 pounds of GSX slurry and is detonated just above ground level by a 38-inch fuze extender. The weapon produces an overpressure of 1,000 pounds per square inch. Eleven BLU-82s were dropped during Desert Storm, all from Special Operations C-130s. The initial drops were intended to test the ability of the bomb to clear mines; no reliable bomb damage assessment exist on mine clearing effectiveness. Later, bombs were dropped as much for their psychological effect as for their destructive power.

Specifications
Class	15,000 lb. Blast/Fragmentation
Guidance	Ballistic
Control:
Autopilot:	None
Propulsion:	None
Weight (lb.)	15,000
Length (in)	141.6
Diameter (in)	54
Warhead (lbs.)	15,000
Explosive	Aluminum Powder (12,600 lbs.)
Fuze	M904 (Nose); M905 (Tail)
Unit Cost	$27,318
Aircraft	MC-130

Sources and Resources

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http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/dumb/blu-82.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Friday, December 25, 1998 5:57:31 AM

[freeasinbeer]

True, and never trust conservatives with the economy. There must be a common ground for both, no?

[krogers58]

Here she is:

[The Sons of Liberty]

Load up our C-5s to the gills with these and let's go huntin' ragheads!

[butter pecan fan]

Well, mate... what say we put a few camels on the barbie?

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

[Dog Gone]

I want to see video of one of those things going off, assuming you can see anything through the cloud of cooked Taliban parts.

[denydenydeny]

freeasinbeer, member since 10/24/01.

Let's Troll.

[Miss Marple]

Now we know why the C-130's were stopping in the Phillipines on their way to an undisclosed location.