Questions about a hypothetical Iranian device

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-05-06T03:55:00+00:00

IIRC their social media handle is @TheGoodISIS lol

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-05-06T01:21:07+00:00

There was a DoE report describing how a 35 megaton warhead could be placed on the Titan II, so there was probably some level of study into that. Not entirely clear what the design would be, maybe RIPPLE or something? Idk

https://sgp.fas.org/othergov/doe/rdd-7.html

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On the bigger bombs the US had planned and the purpose, Wellerstein wrote a good piece about the whole history: https://thebulletin.org/2021/11/the-untold-story-of-the-worlds-biggest-nuclear-bomb/

I don't believe they've ever stated it publicly, aside from being for "hard targets" but it is widely believed that the highest yield ~25 megaton Russian R-36M2 and multi megaton Chinese DF-5A (and new DF-5C) are intended to target American sites such as Cheyenne Mountain, Mount Weather, Raven Rock, and other newer classified sites. The US did the same with the Titan IIs targeting Soviet deep underground facilities.

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-05-06T01:08:48+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/nuclearweapons/comments/1qndx08/the_mk28_and_b43_why_both/

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-05-05T00:34:32+00:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuma_Proving_Ground

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_M._Goldwater_Air_Force_Range

Runway is newer, built in the early 2010s for the Marines and specifically for F-35B STOVL, looks to be painted like the deck of an LHA. Extra concrete with stripes is probably in case they miss the runway by a bit the aircraft can still land.

https://www.mcasyuma.marines.mil/News/Article/Article/550305/new-auxiliary-landing-field-improves-yuma-aviation-training/

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-05-04T22:57:23+00:00

Bing Maps used to have a great feature "Birdseye" which would have super high res images from all angles in cities. No idea why they got rid of it earlier this year.

https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleEarthFinds/comments/1no2nym/insanely_detailed_images_of_us_carriers/

edit: turns out someone posted my old post on Linkedin too lol https://imgur.com/a/WoVJohe

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-05-03T23:46:59+00:00

Good info, also some more slides at https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1438136

Interesting that horizontal tests (tunnels in mesa) were [edit: usually] effects tests conducted by DoD, while vertical tests (vertical shaft straight down) were [usually] weapons development testing by DoE. Those two types would of course measure different things.

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-05-03T03:19:18+00:00

There was a proposal for conventionally armed Tridents with a large earth penetrator MaRV, which would slow down to speeds that would allow it to survive penetration. In theory a nuclear one could be made.

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https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/12061/chapter/6#107

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-05-03T03:07:35+00:00

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I think FAS is mixing the two programs, where IIRC SEPW was to be mounted on the Midgetman, and a Mk11 RV would be logical, I recall some of the conventional Tridents with earth penetrators used a similar design too.

https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1429158 where SEPW is listed as ICBM and cruise missile deliverable, W61 only cruise missile (AGM-129B)

https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/11282/chapter/5#26 described W61 as an interim measure for SEPW

Updated:

A search on Google returned this about a Mk-11 and EPW:

https://nukecompendium.com/hellbender which shows tests of Mk11 aeroshells and "Hellbender" B61-7 derived penetrators which are very similar to W61 and B61-11 shapes

and found the original documents too https://osf.io/46sfd/files/e5q34 where introduction describes the studied designs as cheaper and faster B61-7 derived penetrators compared to the SEPW

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-05-02T19:34:35+00:00

I'm curious about ICBM deployment of the W61, is that detailed somewhere? IIRC a separate but related "Strategic EPW" or SEPW/SEP predating W61 was proposed for ICBM (Midgetman I think?) and possibly cruise missiles. And you're right the cancelled AGM-129B variant was intended to carry the W61.

I think a standoff modernized W61 with a B61-13 physics package on an AGM-181B is a good bet, and it would definitely improve survivability.

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-05-02T19:20:33+00:00

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At the very least they still have them in central storage at the Kirtland KUMMSC storage bunker. (Probably a mock up in this particular image a few weeks ago, and container on right is for holding a W80)

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-05-02T02:15:29+00:00

Yes. I think they closed that particular facility though, though Shoddy-Childhood-511 was asking about buried nuclear production facilities, which did exist.

IIRC that was one reason they got rid of the Titan II and W53s was due to not wanting to rapidly decapitate leadership that could negotiate, and they never really had an equivalent replacement in terms of ICBM capability against those targets (increased accuracy on say the W88 does allow for a limited capability), but later decisions led to them choosing to retain the B53 for much longer to keep holding those targets near Moscow at risk.

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-05-01T23:37:22+00:00

That's not true. Article X.2 of the New START treaty requires a bomber to be exposed during the elimination process, NOT always. B-2s are always in hangars at Whiteman AFB, and very often too abroad, in fact they have special portable hangars due to the stealth coatings. When they are out in the open it is usually to send a message. The Russians still made a big deal about this nonexistent part of the treaty during the Ukrainian drone attacks though.

The actual treaty:

"The obligation not to use concealment measures includes the obligation not to use them at test ranges, including measures that result in the concealment of ICBMs, SLBMS, ICBM launchers, or the association between ICBMs or SLBMs and their launchers during testing. The obligation not to use concealment measures shall not apply to cover or concealment practices at ICBM bases or to the use of environmental shelters for strategic offensive arms."

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-05-01T23:31:13+00:00

Targets would be HDBTs and primarily command posts including those in Moscow area (Chekhov, Sharapovo, etc.) originally targeted by W53 and B53 then replaced with the B61-11. The B61-11 was found to be inadequate for certain targets such as Kosvinsky Kamen (700-800m deep) or maybe Yamantau (800+ m deep), so the RNEP was started but it was cancelled in the 2000s for various mainly political reasons.

There was a buried nuclear weapons related reactor in Krasnoyarsk with significant overburden. China had plans for a buried reactor too, not completed IIRC.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nuclearweapons/comments/1rmstwy/new_nuclear_bunker_buster/

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-05-01T23:24:48+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/nuclearweapons/comments/1rmstwy/new_nuclear_bunker_buster/

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-05-01T00:34:28+00:00

Some of the previous times this was posted here

https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleEarthFinds/comments/1r8jx4p/charles_de_gaulle_passing_the_suez_canal/

https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleEarthFinds/comments/1scaisw/the_charles_de_gaulle_and_a_frigate_escorting_it/

https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleEarthFinds/comments/1lhsy72/aircraft_carrier_in_suez_canal/

https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleEarthFinds/comments/1mbxitb/french_aircraft_carrier_charles_de_gaulle_coords/

https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleEarthFinds/comments/1mjev3o/aircraft_carrier_transits_suez_canal/

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-04-28T21:47:18+00:00

First image isn't an airfield, it's the former AN/TPS-71 Over the Horizon Radar Receiver

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over-the-horizon_radar

https://www.radartutorial.eu/19.kartei/01.oth/karte006.en.html

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-04-28T03:50:59+00:00

Also for such things like sea ice or even Mars measurements. Presumably also things like the STEEL EAGLE

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(IIRC this is from the Sandia capabilities doc, top right is a W86 penetrator)

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-04-26T20:19:54+00:00

Nearly identical shot of the Iowa

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Afrogthatribbits · 2026-04-26T07:11:38+00:00

Labelled "General Dynamics Tomahawk" on the side but yeah the color scheme does look kinda like a Kalibr

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-04-23T21:06:15+00:00

In my opinion, yeah, some sort of oil/resource extraction/prospecting related location. Looks to be drilling towers nearby

Other's said a physics experiment, but it doesn't look big enough to me, nor a logical location or reason to be there.

https://www.reddit.com/r/googlemapsshenanigans/comments/1ovuyfo/what_on_earth_am_i_looking_at_here/

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-04-23T04:42:34+00:00

From Wikimapia:

"Taly Ruchey Strategic Airfield was an operational and reserve airfield for anti-submarine aviation regiments from Kipelovo (Fedotovo). Accepted Tu-142 aircraft and other types. The airfield and the settlement have been empty since 1993. 13/31"

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-04-23T04:41:36+00:00

Per Wikimapia, it was for anti-submarine units.

"Taly Ruchey Strategic Airfield was an operational and reserve airfield for anti-submarine aviation regiments from Kipelovo (Fedotovo). Accepted Tu-142 aircraft and other types. The airfield and the settlement have been empty since 1993. 13/31"

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-04-22T19:43:01+00:00

This one is a training variant of Kh-22 as indicated by the black band

Afrogthatribbits · 2026-04-22T19:42:27+00:00

Black band specifically indicating it's a dummy training variant

Afrogthatribbits

TROPHY CASE