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Posted by Water Modem 2012-03-08 08:44||
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#1 I've been wondering about this one myself. The original modern bunker busters were just discarded 8" howitzer barrels.
I suspect the problem is found in obtaining the right kind of casings, because those are "heavy industrial" manufacture, uncommon outside nations with major heavy steel industries.
The second problem is aircraft that can carry and drop them. Apparently Israel does have those, as well as some refueling capability.
But the great worry is one of expense and degree of difficulty using conventional weapons is so great that it increases the temptation to use nukes.
Posted by Anonymoose 2012-03-08 09:11||
2012-03-08 09:11||
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#2 I suspect the problem is found in obtaining the right kind of casings, because those are "heavy industrial" manufacture, uncommon outside nations with major heavy steel industries.
They make their own tanks, I doubt it's a technical problem. I can't imagine that IMI or Urdan couldn't crank them out if needs be. The problem's probably more likely about capacity. Israel's a small country with limited resources. They can do all sorts of things, but they have to concentrate. Same reason why they fly Apaches instead of making their own, even though they probably could machine up their own given time and sufficient provocation.
Now that I think about it, why do they still make their own Merkavas? Inertia from the old Eisenhower-Kennedy days when they couldn't buy new iron from the US?
#3 I suspect the problem is found in obtaining the right kind of casings, because those are "heavy industrial" manufacture, uncommon outside nations with major heavy steel industries.
Posted by g(r)omgoru 2012-03-08 11:52||
2012-03-08 11:52||
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#4 Actually, much of the high grade alloy steel comes via Urdan Industries, an Israeli company that also has industrial manufacturing in Michigan, a much better place to get suitable steel (some of which must be approved by the US for export.)
This is a longstanding strategic concern. Japan had little capacity to make high grade steel, so before WWII they imported every bit of US scrap steel they could get. (Which even then was looked at with suspicion by those in the know. It was one of the first things the US banned for export before the war, along with oil.)
Posted by Anonymoose 2012-03-08 12:38||
2012-03-08 12:38||
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#5 WH denies tech in exchange for delay in bombing by Israel:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/03/08/panetta-us-preparing-military-options-for-iran/
As noted yesterday, Israel has indigenous capabilities (nukes) if forced to go it alone....
Posted by Lumpy Elmoluck5091 2012-03-08 16:40||
2012-03-08 16:40||
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#6 What a schizophrenia National Defense posture we've assumed since "Pharaoh Got HIS phootball.
May Heaven help us.
Posted by Jusomble Whinens3272 2012-03-08 22:35||
2012-03-08 22:35||
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#7 Make that schizophrenic, vice schizophrenia.
Posted by Jusomble Whinens3272 2012-03-08 22:39||
2012-03-08 22:39||
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