Article

2008-08-15 Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

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Posted by Fred 2008-08-15 00:00|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top

#1 can the airborne laser sink ships? (deniable..)

Posted by 3dc 2008-08-15 00:29|| 2008-08-15 00:29|| Front Page Top

#2 Tactical lasers work by heating the surface of the target. In the case of rockets or missiles, the payload or fuel chamber is detonated in the air as a result, often before the metal surface is actually breached.

So the question is a) what are you aiming for WRT a ship and b) can you put and keep enough energy on that location to do the damage you require?

Several problems WRT ships:

Thickness of hull
Critical hull areas under water
Much harder to keep beam on a given spot due to wave motion
Need for a much bigger hole

All of which means a HUGE amount of energy applied over a long time. Not likely to be feasible from an airborne platform, if at all.

I'm not familiar enough with shipboard electronics to know if there's an above-water target that is feasible.

Posted by lotp 2008-08-15 05:51|| 2008-08-15 05:51|| Front Page Top

#3 Those insolent Ukrainians! Only we can pull new rules out of out ass!

Posted by Spike Uniter 2008-08-15 05:58|| 2008-08-15 05:58|| Front Page Top

#4 PIMF, the second out = our.

Posted by Spike Uniter 2008-08-15 05:59|| 2008-08-15 05:59|| Front Page Top

#5 The Ukranians may need to blockade the Russians in port to enforce their requirements. Their navy is a bit light on submarines. Do we have a few we can loan them?

Posted by Mike 2008-08-15 08:26|| 2008-08-15 08:26|| Front Page Top

#6 The Ukranians "lent" the Georgians a few S200 systems. The Russians didn't expect to face that and ended up losing one Tu-22M3 and hits to 3 other Backfires.

Posted by john frum 2008-08-15 08:47|| 2008-08-15 08:47|| Front Page Top

#7 We'll see if the Ukrainians stand firm, or fold.

Posted by DarthVader 2008-08-15 11:25|| 2008-08-15 11:25|| Front Page Top

#8 Just blow up the russian dock , see if they can parallel park a destroyer.

Posted by bigjim-ky 2008-08-15 12:23|| 2008-08-15 12:23|| Front Page Top

#9 his response was not unanticipated; let's see if Ukraine calls, raises, or folds.
i suspect a fold. with explanations (apologies)

Posted by USN, Ret. 2008-08-15 12:52|| 2008-08-15 12:52|| Front Page Top

#10 I wouldnt see Ukraine firing at returning vessels, or even blowing up docks. Im sure there are more subtle things they can do, like interfering with shipments of supplies. The Russian response to that couldnt really be violence (well not NOW, with Georgia still messy) but might be a cut of energy supplies again.

Posted by liberalhawk 2008-08-15 12:59|| 2008-08-15 12:59|| Front Page Top

#11 Maybe the USS Kennedy and friends could take up all the available parking spaces.

Posted by AlanC 2008-08-15 13:15|| 2008-08-15 13:15|| Front Page Top

#12 I'm guessing the Russians will bluster but still give 10 days notice. Otherwise the Ukrainians will claim they don't have food/water/fuel in stock for the ships for ten days, potentially leaving the fleet with a few problems.

Posted by rjschwarz 2008-08-15 13:19|| 2008-08-15 13:19|| Front Page Top

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