A Race To Get A New Bomb For Cave War [re: thermobaric BLU-118/B]

Baltimore Sun | August 4, 2002 | Robert Little

[Stand Watch Listen]

Weapon: An inspired team of scientists in Maryland rushed to build a device that could wipe out the mountain hideouts of Taliban and al-Qaida forces.

Destruction of the cave's mouth was frighteningly complete. The bomb had skipped through the entrance and erupted in a violent spray of jagged steel, blasting the walls and floor into dust. Where there was wood, suddenly just ash and vapor.

[hchutch]

Well, they'll have to work on delivery profiles.

Next time, rig up an IIR or TV-guidance package and steer that baby right into the cave.

BOOOOOOOOOM!!!

[lady lawyer]

Inspiring story

[martin_fierro]

Wonder how these weapons would work on hardened underground bunkers in Iraq? <|:)~

LET'S FIND OUT!

[Diogenesis]

The US needs more real time data and ground-truthing.

BLU-82, perhaps a weaker cousin of BLU-118/B.

[LisaFab]

Thanks for a great find. This post really made my day.

[asneditor]

Great article! Thanks for posting it.

[Paradox]

Wow, what a story. This is certainly one immigrant (Duong) who I'd gladly take into this country. We could use more like her.

[Publius6961]

"Just think of all those women in Afghanistan who were shut off from their society and not even allowed to learn," said Burrows. "It's another example of what makes this country so great. Here, we've been given an education and the opportunity to learn whatever we choose.

This is the first of two profound confirmations about the whys of things about our world.
Thank you, Anh Duong. If there was any doubt in anyone's mind of the universality of human ingenuity and common potential, it is your living example.
It is chilling to think of the potential awesome power of an enemy who could harness that intellectual horsepower as efficiently and effortlessly as we seem to.

It is fortunate beyond words that it is impossible for our enemies to do so. For the very spirit that unleashes that power prevents the primitive inhuman mind to apply it to animalistic ends, like the imposition of a belief system based on total control.

The second observation is that Anh Duong is unique, and a huge bulls-eye has been painted on her back, for those who can see the value in her existence to the "wrong side".
Philosophy and time will define the "wrong side" in absolute terms, but for me her value to a free society is clear; and inestimable.

Was it necessary to provide all that detail about her?

[SICSEMPERTYRANNUS]

"The bomb had skipped through the entrance and erupted in a violent spray of jagged steel, blasting the walls and floor into dust. Where there was wood, suddenly just ash and vapor."


Sweeeeettt (Cartman voice)

[hchutch]

Something new for the Islamic pigf---ers. :)

[Faeroe]

The story here reminds me of the story behind the P-51: give a directive to smart, creative people and get out of the way. The anti-climax, however, is brought to you by the modern Air Force.

[Stand Watch Listen]

FYI...

BLU-118/B Thermobaric Weapon Demonstration / Hard Target Defeat Program

Analysis: How thermobaric bombs work