Hmm, those are Navy wings. These are Army wings.
These are Air Force Wings
Posted on 06/21/2008 3:45:28 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
Apache attack helicopters have fired the thermobaric weapons against fighters in buildings and caves, to create a pressure wave which sucks the air out of victims, shreds their internal organs and crushes their bodies.
...When it hits the target, the charge disperses the aluminium powder throughout the target building. The cloud then ignites, causing a massive secondary blast that tears throughout any enclosed space.
The blast creates a vacuum which draws air and debris back in, creating pressure of up to 430lb per sq in. The more heavily the building is protected, the more concentrated the blast.
...When the American military bought them in 2005, President George W Bush said: “There are going to be some awfully surprised terrorists when the thermobaric Hellfire comes knocking.”
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
Similar, but not quite the same. Same basic principal, that is a dispersed explosion. Biggest difference is the fuel. Technically the thermobaric bomb is a subclass of FAE. But in general useage the FAE uses a vaporized liquid fuel. The thermobaric bomb uses a powdered metal, aluminum in the ones I know about. Simulates an even more powerful dust explosion. Thermobaric bomb/explosive is more useful inside structures. Caves in particular.
The bad news is that both FAE and thermobaric are simple enough that the folks in those caves can make simple versions too.
In spite of appearances, they generally kill by shrapnel effects, not the blast per se, although if one is close enough, you get the same pressure effects.
If it kills the enemy naturally the enemy is a'gin it.
But yes, they've been attacking it for years.
No, bunker busters are "hard target penetrators". Very hard cases, not so much explosive. The earliest ones, back in Desert Storm, where made from surplus cannon barrels, filled with explosive, and with a Paveway guidance kit designed for 2,000 lb bomb strapped on.
Thanks.
Hmm, those are Navy wings. These are Army wings.
These are Air Force Wings
Here's another view of that strike.
The soldiers really enjoyed this one:
This definitely left a mark.
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