[Semper Paratus]

I understand the so called suitcase nukes to actually be the size of large foot lockers, 4' by 2.5' by 2.5'.
Based on the material taken from Al-Queda's R&D facility in Afghanistan, their sophistication was a cut below the Mr. Wizard science show.

[Noswad]

"…The GRU's tactics toward terrorists are simple: never give them any orders, never tell them what to do. They are destroying Western civilization: they know how to do it, the argument goes, so let them get on with it unfettered by petty supervision. Among them there are idealists ready to die for their own ideas. So let them die for them. The most important thing is to preserve their illusion that they are completely free and independent. "

Spetsnaz --- Viktor Surovov 1987

[tortoise]

I understand the so called suitcase nukes to actually be the size of large foot lockers, 4' by 2.5' by 2.5'.

Yes, but honest-to-God backpack nukes do exist, though a bit heavy. I can't say if the Russians actually had them, but their nuclear tech was pretty decent.

[Stefan Stackhouse]

I understand the so called suitcase nukes to actually be the size of large foot lockers, 4' by 2.5' by 2.5'.

We had several threads about this a year or two ago, and the pooled expert opinion was that we are really talking about something approximately the size of what was once known as a "steamer trunk" -- not too much different in capacity from your example above, though perhaps not so long and narrow. The estimate was that the total weight might be in the range of 100-200 lbs -- a little heavy for one person to carry, though not impossible, but also certainly something that would be a little bit noticeable in most public settings. Putting it into the back of an SUV or a station wagon would definitely be within the realm of possibility, however, and that is bad news.

[steve-b]

Based on the material taken from Al-Queda's R&D facility in Afghanistan, their sophistication was a cut below the Mr. Wizard science show.

Weren't these the guys who had a Journal of Irreproducible Results spoof in their nuclear files?

While it's possible that somebody who does understand scientific concepts more sophisticated than the ignition of a camel-dung fire sold them some nasty stuff, it seems more likely that they saw 'em coming a mile away and sold them a bunch of worthless crap.

[SteveTuck]

Based on the material taken from Al-Queda's R&D facility in Afghanistan, their sophistication was a cut below the Mr. Wizard science show.

LOL