• Welcome to BellGab.com Archive.
 

Warships

Started by Kidnostad3, May 07, 2020, 09:10:06 AM

Hog

Quote from: GravitySucks on May 08, 2020, 02:13:56 PM
We have stocked variable yield nukes ever since at least the 1970’s.  I’m not familiar with the detailed design but we used to call them dial-a-yield on the bombs and SRAMs on the FB-111A swing wing bombers. The same weapons were used on the B-1 while they were nuclear capable. SRAMs were replaced by the ACLM.

Some of them could be dialed quite low. Obviously none were ever detonated.

I don’t think we stock any nuclear artillery shells like we used to maintain along the Iron curtain.  I believe those were like 1kt.

I spent the first 4 years at Plattsburgh AFB certifying the aircrews for their alert sorties, but the last 4 years were at HQ/SAC where we picked all the targets and assigned all the nuclear weapons for all of the bomber, ICBMs and SLBMs for what was called the Single Integrated Operational Plan (SIOP). When Reagan got elected we may have been tasked with developing Limited Nuclear Options (LNO). If such plans had been developed the analysts would have certainly been tasked with designing such an attack as to make it clear to an adversary that it was indeed a limited yet lethal attack.

After 8 years of working on stuff I hoped would never get used, I got out to work on the space program where I could actually see the results of my work get used.
Excellent post. I am aware of the dial-a-yield weaponry, but I thought that that they were limited to the variants of the B-83 and the B-61.
B-61 Mod-3 t, dial a yield  0.3, 1.5, 60, or 170 kt  tactical
B-61 Mod-4 dial a yield 0.3, 1.5, 10, or 45 kt tactical
B-61 Mod-7 dial a yield 10 kt or 340 kt  Strategic
B-61 Mod-11 dial a yield 0.3, 340, or 400 kt retrofit of Mod-7 50 in service bunkerbusting capability(replaced B-53 and its 9 megatons yield) Placed more accurately, the smaller yield can be used.
B-61 Mod-12 dial-a-yield 0.3, 1.5, 10, or 50 kt  GPS guided hyper accurate bunker buster developed in 2019 tactical/strategic

The SLBM's do not use dial-a-yield technology AKAIK.  It was a brand new warhead dubbed W-76-2 first fielded in 2019  has a yield of 5-7 kt.
1-8 Mk-5 RV/W88 (455 kt) or
1-14 Mk-4 RV/W76-0 (100 kt) or
1-14 Mk-4A RV/W-76-1 (90 kt)
Single or multiple W76-2 (5-7 kt)

US Deploys New Low-Yield Nuclear Submarine Warhead
https://fas.org/blogs/security/2020/01/w76-2deployed/

"The US Department of Defense confirmed in February 2020 that W76-2 had been 'fielded'" launched aboard USS Tennessee in late 2019. "

Up to 14 of these new warheads can be fitted onto a Trident-II SLBM, though the max actually fielded is actually 4 due to NEW START treaty.
Up to 16 W-76-1  90 kt warheads can physically fit on each Trident-II SLBM. The W-76-1 has replaced the W-88 and its 475 kt warheads with   

those SRAMs (AGM-69) were awesome. The B-52 could "wear" 20 of them, 6 under each wing and 8 more inside the bomb bay on the nuke capable B-52's of the day. SRAM-2(AGM-131) was all ready to go, but there was a ramp fire on September 1980 where a fully loaded B-52 that burned for 3 hours.
Cracks in the rocket motors of the SRAMs were also a concern as they could explode upon ignition. 


3 Advanced Cruise Missiles located under the wing of a B-52H

B-1 could carry 24 of them on 3 rotary launchers in its belly.

The FB-111 could carry 6, 2 in its bomb bay, 2 under each wing. The FB-111A had a total weapon load of 35,500 lb (16,100 kg)   IIRC, the FB-111A had its top speed limited to Mach-2 due to its redesigned rear fuselage and SRAM heating on the wings. The FB-111A used the longer wings from the F-111B (70 foot wingspan for the FB-111A while the rest allowing for its increased Max Take Off Weight of 120,000 pounds. This required the heavier duty landing gear compared to the other F-111 variants. 69 FB-111A were built.

When Strategic Air Command went away, the FB-111A's were reconfigured for tactical use and redesignated F-111G and assigned to Air Combat Command, the remaining FB-111As were retired in 1991 and the converted F-111Gs were retired in 1993 with Australia buying 15 F-111Gs to supplement its F-111Cs. These Aussie jets were retired in 2007.


As you mentioned, AGM-69A SRAM(Short Range Attack Missiles) was replaced by the newer cruise missiles. there was the AGM-86B ALCM(Air Launched Cruise Missile) In service from 1982 and is currently in service.


The newer AGM-129 ACM (Advanced Cruise Missile), this version was only carried by B52-H aircraft. It incorporated Low Observable(stealth) technologies in an effort to reduce the chances of being shot down before it reached its target.  The AGM-129 was in service between June 1990 â€" April 2012.



AGM-86 ALCM  5-150kt yield at targets 1500+ miles away. I wonder what it feels like to have 20 of these kick off of the rotary launcher while each wing drops 6 missiles.  These things weigh 3200 pounds, that would be a great video.
"AGM-86B/C/D missiles increase flexibility in target selection. AGM-86B missiles can be air-launched in large numbers by the bomber force. B-52H bombers carry six AGM-86B or AGM-86C missiles on each of two externally mounted pylons and eight internally on a rotary launcher, giving the B-52H a maximum capacity of 20 missiles per aircraft."

"The CALCM was retired on 20 November 2019, replaced in the conventional standoff strike role by the AGM-158B JASSM-ER."

About the nuclear artillery shells, IIRC they are no longer fielded. The W82 was a 155mm artillery shell with a yield of 2 kiloton yield and weighed 95 pounds


Another smaller weapon system was the Davy Crockett July 17, 1962.  These weapons were to be used in an "area denial" type of mission. Supposedly a few Davey Crockets fired across a certain point so that enemy movements are curtailed unless they have full Nuclear Biological Chemical (NBC) capability..


The M-54 Davy Crockett test July 17, 1962 called the little Feller 1 and II. It used the W54 warhead which was also used in the SADM(listed below) 10 or 20 ton yield, Davy Crockett Gun warhead




The Special Atomic Demolition Munition (SADM) weighed approx 51 pounds and its Dial-a-yield can be adjusted from 10 tons(0.01 kilotons) to 1 kiloton TNT equivalent.  Troops would parachute into Eastern Soviet controlled countries and these teams would place these backpack SADMs at targets for destruction( power plants, bridges, and dams)


1958 test


The same warhead used in the Davey Crockett, the SADM and a 3rd version of the W-54 warhead was used as a nuclear version of the AIM-26 Falcon air-to-air missile. The AIM-26A Falcons warhead yield was equivalent to the detonation of 250 tons of TNT(TriNitroToluene), the AIM-26B was the conventional version

peace
Hog

Kidnostad3

USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN-76) IS HAZE GREY AND UNDERWAY AGAIN! 

Here’s a shot with the Air Wing aboard.

https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/uss-ronald-reagan-aircraft-carrier-returns-to-sea-as-navy-s-coronavirus-battle-continues-1.628769


A good friend who is a nuclear trained submariner was on the commissioning crew of Reagan as a Reactor Officer sent me  the hat.





Quote from: Kidnostad3 on May 11, 2020, 09:31:14 AM
USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN-76) IS HAZE GREY AND UNDERWAY AGAIN! 



Not alone either.  Even the Ford snorted out of Norfolk

https://twitter.com/USNavyCNO/status/1259494304634019840

Some other stuff seems to be going on as well

https://twitter.com/IntelDoge/status/1259703745606189056

Hog

Quote from: Uncle Duke on May 08, 2020, 06:48:50 PM
That's a lot of warship for a country like Mexico.  SAMs and Harpoons?

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2019/12/video-mexican-navy-pola-class-arm-reformador-completes-acceptance-trials/

It certainly is.

Length=107.14 meters or 352 feet
Beam (width) 14.02 meters  or 46 feet
Displacement of 2,570 tons
Maximum speed of 27 knots. 
Endurance 21 days at sea. 

"" ARM Reformador is based on the SIGMA 10514 frigate design by Damen. It has a length of 107.14 meters, a beam (width) of 14.02 meters, a displacement of 2,570 tons, a maximum speed of 27 knots. It has an endurance of 21 days at sea.  Before the Mexican Navy, the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) selected the SIGMA 10514 design as their main and most modern surface combatant (it is known locally as the PKR Frigate).""


I didn't realize that Damon was a warship designer in addition to being an aircraft pilot. #strokemouthed


peace
Hog


Kidnostad3

Things could get really interesting real soon with both the U.S. and Chinese conducting major fleet “exercises” in WESTPAC\South China Sea.  Build-up of U.S. submarine force in the area underscores the seriousness of the situation. 

”US pushes back on China in South China Sea”

https://asiatimes.com/2020/05/us-pushes-back-on-china-in-south-china-sea

”The Navy just sent a submarine force into the Western Pacific in a message to China”

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-submarines-pacific-deployment




Gd5150

Quote from: Kidnostad3 on May 19, 2020, 02:01:41 AM
Things could get really interesting real soon with both the U.S. and Chinese conducting major fleet “exercises” in WESTPAC\South China Sea.  Build-up of U.S. submarine force in the area underscores the seriousness of the situation. 

”US pushes back on China in South China Sea”

https://asiatimes.com/2020/05/us-pushes-back-on-china-in-south-china-sea

”The Navy just sent a submarine force into the Western Pacific in a message to China”

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-submarines-pacific-deployment

Military Announces exercises in the South China Sea.



Meanwhile in the North China sea...






Quote from: Kidnostad3 on May 19, 2020, 02:01:41 AM
Things could get really interesting real soon with both the U.S. and Chinese conducting major fleet “exercises” in WESTPAC\South China Sea.  Build-up of U.S. submarine force in the area underscores the seriousness of the situation. 

”US pushes back on China in South China Sea”

https://asiatimes.com/2020/05/us-pushes-back-on-china-in-south-china-sea

”The Navy just sent a submarine force into the Western Pacific in a message to China”

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-submarines-pacific-deployment

Meanwhile.  In the North Atlantic.  First time since 1986. Just in case SV gets hungry again....................

U.S. Navy Revives North Atlantic Merchant Convoy Exercises
https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/u-s-navy-revives-north-atlantic-merchant-convoy-exercises



Uncle Duke

Quote from: Walks_At_Night on May 19, 2020, 01:12:56 PM
Kind of a cool picture

https://twitter.com/WarshipCam/status/1262772532127641601

Photo puts into perspective why the Brits and French sustained some many lost/damaged warships during the Gallipoli fiasco.

Kidnostad3

More on the ongoing confrontation with China.  I have never  known the Navy to publicize the strength of deployed submarine assets within an operating area.   Trump is sending a very strong message to China which the MSM is studiously ignoring.

https://youtu.be/lJ7j6PXy9Oc

The Big E gets nailed by a Kamizake



The result?  Forward evelvator gets blown off and two guys get to walk on water as a Sumner Class DD comes to fetch them.......



albrecht

Quote from: Walks_At_Night on May 21, 2020, 04:53:19 PM
[tweet]1263586907759341568[/tweet]

Context:

[tweet]1263566389467627526[/tweet]
What he should be tweeting about is why a country with the largest proven reserves would need to import oil?

GravitySucks

Quote from: albrecht on May 21, 2020, 05:02:56 PM
What he should be tweeting about is why a country with the largest proven reserves would need to import oil?

Maybe their own refineries can’t handle the poor quality of their own oil.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-insight-idUSKBN1CN2EO

Kind of a neat capture here.  The future and the past?   Autonomous, unmanned ship and a behemoth floating resort designed to pack as many people as possible on to it.   



https://twitter.com/WarshipCam/status/1263871964466352128


Dr. MD MD

Quote from: Walks_At_Night on May 22, 2020, 05:51:21 PM
Sure looks cool.

https://twitter.com/USPacificFleet/status/1263932322048434176

It’s about time we got laser guns. Now give me my flying car, assholes! >:(

pate

Quote from: Dr. MD MD on May 22, 2020, 05:53:17 PM
It’s about time we got laser guns. Now give me my flying car, assholes! >:(

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IslF_EyhMzg

Ford headed back into Norfolk.  One fine day it will go out for a real deployment.    Guess today was not that day.   2020 was supposed to be the year - still time.


https://twitter.com/WarshipCam/status/1269720909260218368

Stellar

Come on these ships at sea are tiny compared to whats in the universe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFzn11e4LbI





Dr. MD MD

Quote from: Stellar on June 07, 2020, 06:54:49 PM
Come on these ships at sea are tiny compared to whats in the universe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFzn11e4LbI




What are they waiting for?

Nice picture of Shreddie's hard earned tax dollar at work.


Been a few changes in the world since last December.  Talk about Future Shock.


https://twitter.com/WarshipCam/status/1270687706746626048

HMS Defender returning home to Portsmouth.


Royal Navy in the Med - 1942


DE 766 USS Slater - a WWII Destroyer Escort leaving Albany NY for repairs in Staten Island


Kidnostad3

Here’s a good example of the “Jointness” the services were striving for back when I was in.  Note that the AF B-52H is being accompanied by carrier based F/A-18 Hornets and an E-2C Hawkeye (Willie Fudd).

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2020/07/06/two-us-aircraft-carriers-are-operating-in-the-south-china-sea-air-force-b-52-joins-them/ 

Kidnostad3

“Powerful Russian Submarine Seen Entering Baltic Sea”

https://www.forbes.com/sites/hisutton/2020/07/10/powerful-russian-submarine-seen-entering-baltic-sea/amp/

You can count on there being U.S./NATO submarines in close trail. 

Taaroa

This is a ship that was laid down in 1912, served in the Imperial Russian Navy, participated in the Russian Civil War, survived Leningrad and WW2, served in and outlasted the Soviet Union and subsequent chaotic collapse, and is still in service with Russian Navy.




https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_salvage_ship_Kommuna

Powered by SMFPacks Menu Editor Mod