[vannrox]

What gives you the impression that we will completely lack any hard target destroying capability? I really doubt it. We are just changing the delivery methodology.

[WALLACE212]

Really, pray tell the warhead upgrade, not to mention the new guidance system that allows the Trident to do the job of the MX. Fire protection and blast propogation is what I do for a living, do you have any idea the PSI overpressure it takes to crack a Russian silo. How about a command center, those new ones UNDER the Urals perhaps? How about the new way to track the Topol-M AFTER the VELA satellites get fragged with an upper atmosphere detonation?

Don't give me truisms about how the great savior Bush will makee-makee all better. Give hard data on HOW. I have done an enormous amount of research on this, I know the numbers involved. Refute with the like, if you can. Its not like I enjoy the knowledge that we are bending over and grabbing our ankles at a strategic level. Please, give me proof it ain't so.

[CTCStrela]

"What gives you the impression that we will completely lack any hard target destroying capability? I really doubt it. We are just changing the delivery methodology. "

What gives me that idea? Well man, in theory, we could use the tridents for hard targets, provided they don't miss, and we use 2 or 3 in 30 minute intervals to "dig down" to said hard target. Which isn't going to happen. We simply don't have enough missiles. Not to mention the "stealthy-ness" of a submarine is gone once it hovers and starts popping missiles. That leaves one heck of a datum, folks.

There are no nuclear cruise missiles left in the active inventory.

There are no other delivery systems availible.

S.A.C. no longer exists.

There are no nuclear capable aircraft on alert. Nor are there any "cold-padding". In other words, the bombers get caught on the ground in a pre-empt.

Minuteman is a 60's era system. Glue and patches. It was originally designed as a city-buster. It's not that much more accurate than it used to be, nor is it at all hardened against emp. It's doubtfull whether the missiles would even work after an emp burst, let alone guide to a pinpoint location on the other side of the earth. It will not work.

The CIS has a fully functional ABM system. Currently the only viable leg of our "nuclear triad" is the missile sub/ Trident II system. Our subs do NOT have nuclear cruise missiles. In other words, we've got a 22, the possible enemy has a 12 Gauge , and we just thumbed the hammer forward on our gun.

Sleep Tight..

[rightofrush]

What gives you the impression that we will completely lack any hard target destroying capability? I really doubt it. We are just changing the delivery methodology.

One more Bushie in denial and in need of a reality check.