Depleted Uranium

[KrazyHorse]

I get the feeling it probably was a sign showing uncle sam shaking hands with Speedy Gonzalez and the Naval Ensign flying in the background...

[TCO]

Originally posted by Dissident
what did you see at the border?

Navy ships also use DU rounds on their phalanx guns. Though I don't see why that is needed. They are firing at aluminum aircraft and missiles. It can't be that hard to penetrate.

Prevents closeaboard missiles and kamikazes from hitting the ship. Throws an incredible amount of heavy rounds.

[Dis]

yes, but it shouldn't take that much to hit and disrupt a missile. wouldn't normal rounds do the same thing?

[TCO]

Originally posted by Dissident
yes, but it shouldn't take that much to hit and disrupt a missile. wouldn't normal rounds do the same thing?

Didn't always work with kamikazes.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by TCO


Prevents closeaboard missiles and kamikazes from hitting the ship. Throws an incredible amount of heavy rounds.

Wouldn't lead be better for that (since it's softer more momentum transferred instead of blowing through target)

[KrazyHorse]

That was reason I thought DU was preferable to Pb (since DU punches through armour rather than splatting on side)

[Dis]

well I'm talking about aluminum missile and aircraft.

That is a seperate issues than MBT's.

Obviously you want DU for MBT's.

But I still don't see it as that useful for aluminum targets.

[TCO]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse


Wouldn't lead be better for that (since it's softer more momentum transferred instead of blowing through target)

I donno.

[TCO]

Originally posted by Dissident
well I'm talking about aluminum missile and aircraft.

That is a seperate issues than MBT's.

Obviously you want DU for MBT's.

But I still don't see it as that useful for aluminum targets.

Well, I think that CIWS has a pretty good rep. there was a long time when we were really worried about missile threats to ships (and with good reason, look at the Starke). So CIWS stops missiles that get through the engagment range of a STandard AAM.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by TCO


I donno.

You're probably just trying to get rid of all the excess DU you've produced by building 20 000 warheads...

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by TCO


Well, I think that CIWS has a pretty good rep. there was a long time when we were really worried about missile threats to ships (and with good reason, look at the Starke). So CIWS stops missiles that get through the engagment range of a STandard AAM.

Why doesn't somebody build missiles that drop into water and become torpedoes, eliminating closeboard antithreat systems?

[TCO]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse


Why doesn't somebody build missiles that drop into water and become torpedoes, eliminating closeboard antithreat systems?

Another advantage is that you can do more damage by exploding underwater. I don't really know all the answers, but it is partly weight. APrtly that many ships still don't have that great of a countremeaseru for missiles. and that the torpedo doesn't go that fast, so evasion by the ship is more of an option. (as is the torp losing its target (in terms of homing). But who knows, maybe it would work. You know those APL guys do a lot of aerospace and ocean systems stuff...

[KrazyHorse]

Yes, and Annapolis is right around the corner.

When I start getting weapons ideas, though, DoD should probably start dreaming up countermeasures...

[geeslaka]

Actually I believe that has already been developed. I'm not sure though.

[TCO]

I was going to mention in the sense that ASROC has been around for a long time and that there are air-launched torpedos. But I think Kitty meant a full up Harpoon, type cruise missile that has a torp payload. Maybe a mk46 payload. 48 is already bigger than a Harp.