Replies

“Just how did the air dropped torpedo acquire the pipeline as a target? How would it differentiate the pipeline from the seabed?”

Answers are here:

https://freerepublic.com/tag/by:travismcgee/index?brevity=full;tab=comments

Very interesting.
And Lonepalm, you’re getting people to think by raising legit issues with the story. At least you’re getting ME to think, and that isn’t necessarily easy! :)

Things we do know line up with a US operation. Our assets in the area in that time frame, the attempted stealth air-refueling rather than landing to take on fuel in the UK. But there is also significant doubt based on the known characteristics and capabilities of the assumed weapon used.

The pipeline remains a puzzle, though there are some fairly incriminating pieces.

And some respected people (Travis McGee, Lonepalm, Monkeywerx, etc.) have put together some pieces, raised some issues with parts of it, and presented alternate possibilities.

OK, I can't speak to the capabilities of Mk 18 Kingfish anti-mine system. This is the first I have seen it mentioned in conjunction with the attack on NS 1&2.

The posts I replied to were suggesting that the pipelines were attacked by a P-8 Poseidon using torpedoes air dropped from altitude using the new HAWWCC system. Regardless of the means used to drop it, the only torpedo carried by the P-8 is the Mk 54 Lightweight Torpedo. This torpedo does not have the capability to differentiate the pipeline from the seabed.

Now, as to who did this, I don't know. I certainly hope that the US was not involved in any way. As remote as the possibility is, I do think the US has at least a marginally better motive than the Russians. Russia had already turned off the gas flow so attacking the pipeline was unnecessary. Furthermore, an attack would mean that they couldn't turn the gas back on (and earn money) if their political aims were realized.

Other people, and nations, do things for their reasons and not mine. I just don't see where it is in their interest. If you have something I would love to hear it.

WWG1WGA

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)