Modern weapons of destruction

[burnedout]

Was the Lance taken offline for the Pershing and the GLCM?

Yes and no. From the Army's perspective during the 80s when the PIIs were deployed, the distribution went something like this:

PIIs - US only. Deployment began in 1984 to replace PIs. PIs had been in service since the early 60s. Pershing program was an addition to the Lance program, not a full scale replacement. Officially in service until 1991.
PIs - German Bundeswehr. Officially in service until 1991.
Lance - US and German Bundeswehr until 1991.

From what I understood, a PII could reach Moscow from Central Europe within 30 minutes off the rail.

There were "custodial" agreements with Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany regarding the munitions. Host nations owned the delivery systems, not the munitions.

Other delivery systems were kept online in theater until as late as '92. Not sure about GLCMs. I was more involved on the Army side of the house for a couple of years. Nice little break from the line units.

 

[Hammer]

Yup, smaller yield but more MIRVs make sense however for important strategic/hardened targets you need something bigger. Thats why the Soviets developed the Sandbox (SS-N-12) and Silex (SS-N-14) both can carry up to 3 MIRVs with a yield of 25 MTs each. Cheyenne moutain would be Cheyenne lake real quick.



<< I agree. We have 10> mt nuclear weapons, which are way more powerful. But being able to nuke 14 targets with 1 missile at a time is insane. Multiply 14x24 (the number of missiles that an Ohio-Class submarine carries, if i'm not mistaken), and you have 336 MIRVs for 336 targets with a 475kt warhead :Q Of course, in real life, with SALT II, and the fact that they dont carry 14 MIRVs in each missile lessens the number >>

 

[UltraQuiet]

Ok lets see if we can do this w/o getting into classified. US Tridents. SSBN 726 - SSBN 743 inclusive. SSBN 726 - 733 all carry C-4 missiles. SSBN 734-743 inclusive all carry the Trident II D-5 missile/ fire control. This system was much maligned because it's reported accuracy could only be classified "offensive" vice defensive whic has always been the US position (official) with regards to nucs. MIRV configs vary and are classified but the US does conform to SALT/START limitations. What I do know is that my first two patrols on USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) we were the most powerful warship (in terms of destructive power) ever to deploy, before or since. The Trident is very capable platform. Stealth, decent speed, large platform. Current plans are to take the first four (726-729), disarm IAW with SALT/START and convert them to SSGN's with an 8 x 24 (192) TLAM capability. No other single US warship has this kind of capability. This will be an extremly capable platform. Also the plan is to convert the remainig C-4 boats to D-5 (730-733).

 

[JellyBaby]

<< We Canucks have Celine Dion >>

I heard you also have something called the MRLS or Multiple Rubberband Launching System. Frightening!