Nuclear weapons and orbital combat systems

It seems that highly trained nuclear weapons guards have gone on strike. This strike is entering its sixth week at the Energy Department's Pantex plant near Amarillo, the nation's primary site for servicing nuclear weapons and one of the most heavily guarded industrial plants.

There are 210 replacement guards — less than half the normal complement — now at the site, according to William J. Desmond, chief of defense nuclear security for the Energy Department's National Nuclear Security Administration. [SNIP]

In late April, Podonsky told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the plant site was well defended but that a long strike could erode security and strain the nation's entire nuclear weapons infrastructure. (more LA Times)

Speaking of weapons, new wars require new weapons, since the goal of a war of the future will not be to seize enemy territory but to deal surgical strikes against sensitive targets.

International borders are not violated, large-scale use of ground troops and armor is becoming a thing of the past, and the role of strategic aviation is diminished. The traditional nuclear triad is being replaced with non-nuclear high-accuracy weapons with different basing modes. [snip]

The main types of space-based assault weapons are:

1. Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Their warheads are put into what is called the "staging orbit." In the event of a crisis and a command to destroy targets, the multiple-warhead-dispensing mechanism comes into action. This basing mode was suggested for the American MX ICBM when Soviet-U.S. tensions reached their peak in the early 1980s.

2. Ground-, air- and space-launched anti-satellite missiles.

3. Directed energy weapons, including chemical and X-ray lasers and beams.

4. Electronic weapons: pulse generators of powerful radio waves for radio-electronic warfare and magnetic-field-generated and plasma compression pulses.

The main point is that space-based weapons allow comprehensive control over the Earth's surface. The appearance of permanent manned military stations in near-Earth orbit is only a matter of time. (more at RIA Novosti)

Check out Stormwarning's Counterterrorism Blog for several articles on pulse generators and other great articles.

linked with
123Beta, unFair to Innovation. I recommend you go read this important post by The Gentle Cricket

Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming) has introduced legislation that would require that online and catalog purchases be subject to a sales tax. Called the "Sales Tax Fairness and Simplification Act",

Go read it.

Comments

[Stormwarning]

Thanks for the "pub" Debbie. So far...well, one from Illinois around 6:30am who didn't stay :(

The question of EMPs has long been discussed though. If an econoline van containing an EMP pulse generator drove past the Congressional and Senate office buildings or Capitol Hill, it might cripple government (for a period of time)...drive around town past the various agencies, and the same.

[Debbie]

I'm for anything that will kill the enemy, Michael.

Stormwarning, I could have sworn you did an article on the "pulse" weapons. My bad. Oh well, you got some publicity anyway.

[Stormwarning]

EMP is a known effect of a high altitude nuclear weapon: http://www.fas.org/nuke/intro/nuke/emp.htm

While apparently technically feasible, there is some question of whether anyone has the capability to build one.

I don't believe that I have ever written a post on the subject on my blog. I think that the same holds for plasma compression pulses.

[michael]

3. Directed energy weapons, including chemical and X-ray lasers and beams.

4. Electronic weapons: pulse generators of powerful radio waves for radio-electronic warfare and magnetic-field-generated and plasma compression pulses.

--
If they are doing stuff like that, I want a lightsaber!