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Better Bunker Buster Built
Strategy Page ^ | 2-29-08 | Jim Dunnigan

Posted on 02/29/2008 4:44:34 AM PST by Renfield

February 29, 2008: The U.S. Air Force has conducted a successful test of its new deep penetration warhead. Carried by cruise missiles, the tandem warhead first detonates a shaped charge, which can penetrate 35 feet of limestone, or 20 feet of reinforces concrete. Right behind the shaped charge comes a 500 pound explosive, which detonates inside the hole, preferably inside an enemy bunker that the first charge has penetrated. The recent test only went through 19.5 feet of the hardened concrete, so a second test, with a more powerful shaped charge, will be conducted. The new warhead will be used for the new AGM-129 ACM (Advanced Cruise Missile) or the older BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missile. The new warhead will be in service by 2011, or sooner (if there is an urgent need).


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: military; missiles
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To: Renfield

Breaking: Better Bulk Buttery Bunker Bacon Battery Buster Bravely Built, Buddy!


21 posted on 02/29/2008 7:17:15 AM PST by Lazamataz (Why isn’t this in Breaking News????)
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To: tj21807

Nothing too complex. Upon contact the shaped charge sends a highly-directional blast out in front of the main bomb. The main bomb is protected from the back blast of the shaped charge so it does not detonate. The shaped charge’s blast wave travels faster than the bomb trailing behind it, thereby creating a hole for the bomb to travel down. When the bomb gets to the end of the hole it detonates.


22 posted on 02/29/2008 7:43:25 AM PST by Justa (Politically Correct is morally wrong.)
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To: Lazamataz


Bigger Better Bang Bump
23 posted on 02/29/2008 7:54:11 AM PST by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life)
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To: tj21807
TJ

Take a look at this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunker_buster for background.

Kinetic high density penetrators have limits - even if ‘assisted’ by being dropped by aircraft.

The same device, aided by a rocket motor will go deeper.

The same type of device, preceded by an explosive jet of gas will be able to penetrate deeper and do more damage.

Until the USAF is able to procure a working DUODEC (duodecaplylatomate) or are successful in producing an allotropic iron bomb, these represent state of the art.

An alternate would be an aircraft mounted DeLameter blaster, but focus problems pose a real issue....

Have fun, it's Friday!

24 posted on 02/29/2008 10:01:20 AM PST by ASOC (Tagline free for months and still going (Oh, wait........))
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To: Renfield

How does it do on permafrost?


25 posted on 02/29/2008 10:03:15 AM PST by RightWhale (Clam down! avoid ataque de nervosa)
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To: RightWhale

NO idea.


26 posted on 02/29/2008 10:06:31 AM PST by Renfield (Turning apples into venison since 1999!)
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To: Renfield

They used to do their first test on permafrost here. Just south of town. Drop the things from F-16s or something. Clunk! Kind of skids and bounces.


27 posted on 02/29/2008 10:09:48 AM PST by RightWhale (Clam down! avoid ataque de nervosa)
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To: ASOC
E. E. "Doc" Smith: Greatest SF writer ever.

IMO.

YMMV

28 posted on 02/29/2008 10:11:55 AM PST by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilization is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: ASOC
Until the USAF is able to procure a working DUODEC (duodecaplylatomate) or are successful in producing an allotropic iron bomb, these represent state of the art.

An alternate would be an aircraft mounted DeLameter blaster, but focus problems pose a real issue

What about primary beams? Gotta have those as well. Stay focused.

29 posted on 02/29/2008 10:16:48 AM PST by Centurion2000 (su - | chown -740 us ./base | kill -9 | cd / | rm -r)
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To: Centurion2000

LOL
Some say the USAF is too SciFi, thought I would drop some in.

The 1K GBUs do make a pretty big bang, but when they burrow down, then detonate - holy cow!

The most fun I had was when testing on FAE bombs started. Holy cow X 8.


30 posted on 02/29/2008 10:38:31 AM PST by ASOC (Tagline free for months and still going (Oh, wait........))
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To: Renfield
...the tandem warhead first detonates a shaped charge, which can penetrate 35 feet of limestone, or 20 feet of reinforces concrete. Right behind the shaped charge comes a 500 pound explosive, which detonates inside the hole, preferably inside an enemy bunker that the first charge has penetrated.

I'd like this one verified on Mythbusters!

:)

31 posted on 02/29/2008 10:52:06 AM PST by Dr._Joseph_Warren
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