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Looks like it's from a commentator, but still ...
Outlet's almost 40% government owned, so take that or not as "official".
Russia in the 21st Century [Superthread]
- Thread starter tomahawk6
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Altair
Army.ca Veteran
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Gas prices are pretty healthy right now.
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Vlad knows we have had Anti Sat missiles since the late 50's.
Heck, the 80's vintage ASM-135 is on public display at the Air and Space Museum - those where launched from F-15's in the upper stratosphere.
No idea why he is posturing now.
Heck, the 80's vintage ASM-135 is on public display at the Air and Space Museum - those where launched from F-15's in the upper stratosphere.
No idea why he is posturing now.
Altair
Army.ca Veteran
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With gas prices being what they are he can actually afford to right now?
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Vlad I think it going to have a rude awakening.
Either being dragged with a blindfold out of bed from his bubble villa by internal forces
or
Seeing Russia crumble from outside weight in Response to the Ukraine - it is a line in the sand NATO cannot allow him to cross, or he won't stop till German (and maybe not then), and we will be in a massive war as opposed to a limited area dispute.
His one ally is an equally narcissistic ass in Belarus - and ally is a misnomer as for the most part Vlad has his hand up Lukashenko's ass to make his mouth move when Vlad talks.
Altair
Army.ca Veteran
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The next time that happens will be the first.
I see this as unlikely, unless he were to get massively unpopular.
We let him take Crimea, we let Russian soldiers join "separatists" in Donbass, and the go to response to him have been ineffective sanctions.
The west isn't going to fight Russia over Ukraine. They are both without allies but one is much bigger than the other.
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He's had some stumbles over the years
Russians only buy into Nationalism when it is in their best interests these days -- fuel, food etc price increases get them cranky faster than the old days.
At that time the US was distracted. There is no mistaking his ambitions now, and the US is busy trying to get the EU to see that.
I think most in the West realize that if he isn't stopped in the Ukraine - that he won't stop his desire to return to the olden days of the USSR borders - the US Army, USAF etc have forces in the Ukraine, Sleepy Joe is getting a lot of political pressure here to increase our commitments.
Vlad ain't dumb - arrogant yes, but I suspect he knows at this point if push comes to shove - he's going to lose.
I suspect he is going to wait until the eyes of the West are elsewhere - like dealing with China in Taiwan - and then he would act.
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I hope there can be a clear signal from NATO on Ukraine towards Russia but I haven't seen it yet. While Putin continues to mouth off absurdities. The risk to Putin personally has to come from the inner circles and oligarchs when they begin to suffer. All dictators come to an end, very few get to retire to their palace in Sochi in peace
Altair
Army.ca Veteran
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A few small ones, nothing big to write about though.
The Russians dealt with the oil slump plus sanctions and Putins hold didn't waver.
There would need to be the complete decoupling of the Russian economy from the west for that to happen but considering a large percentage of Europes oil and gas come from Russia that isn't going to happen.
The Americans are pivoting to the Pacific and trying to deal with China. Don't think this isn't lost on Russia.
The west has token forces in Ukraine. Token forces are not going to stop Russia if Russia is determined to take chunks of Ukraine.
I think the Russians and Chinese are banking on America being unable to deal with those two situations at once.
Probably just a matter of who blinks first between those two.
Altair
Army.ca Veteran
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Unpopular dictatorships come to an end.
So long as Putin can deliver he is safe. This is the country ruled by the Romanovs for 301 years.
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That assumes "most" in the West can name all the former Soviet republics and Warsaw Pact countries as part of understanding restoring the old USSR/Warsaw Pact.
The ones that are members of NATO, I think Putin's not dumb enough to take direct military action against. All sorts of ways to get them doing what Russia wants (or at least not doing what Russia doesn't want) short of sending in "polite green men" and tanks right behind.
NATO "allies" like Ukraine, though, if I had to bet a loonie, I'd bet it the same way Altair would re: Western military forces not likely coming in to help stop Russia.
Colin Parkinson
Army.ca Myth
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Putin is a bit like water, he will flow along the path of least resistance. but unlike water, he will help dig the ditch from one place to the next. Reinforcing their hold on Kalingrad will always be a primary political goal. There is always Georgia as well. He will have to keep an eye on the Taliban, they may play nice for a few years, but Islamic nutbars can't help themselves from doing something stupid eventually.
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Russia Has Deployed Its First Terminator Tanks
Russia has deployed its first regular unit of Terminator combat support tanks.
The first Terminator company – equipped with nine BMPT-72s – was assigned to the 90th Guards Tank Division, which is stationed in the Sverdlovsk and Chelyabinsk areas of the Urals region in Central Russia, according to Russian news agency TASS.
While the BMPT-72 has been tested in Syria, equipping a regular army division with the vehicles also known as the Terminator 2 – indicates that the Russian Army believes the vehicle is ready for combat.
“The first regular company of nine tank support fighting vehicles in the Russian armed forces was introduced into the table of organization and equipment of a tank regiment of the military district’s armored division,” said Colonel-General Alexander Lapin, commander of the Central Military District.
The BMPT-72 is considered a “tank support combat vehicle,” which in this case means a tank is designed to support other tanks, as compared to traditional main battle tanks (MBT). The Terminator is built on the chassis of the ubiquitous T-72 main battle tank, of which 25,000 were built since the 1970s. But instead of mounting a 125-millimeter cannon in a big turret, the BMPT-72 has a small turret armed with an array of weapons: two 30-millimeter cannon, four Ataka antitank missiles, two rapid-fire 30-millimeter grenade launchers, and a heavy machine gun.
This diverse suite of weapons allows the Terminator to engage multiple types of targets, including tanks, infantry, fortifications, helicopters and low-flying aircraft. At the same time, using a tank chassis offers the heavy armored protection found on tank hulls, as well as the off-road mobility of a fully tracked vehicle.
www.19fortyfive.com
Russia has deployed its first regular unit of Terminator combat support tanks.
The first Terminator company – equipped with nine BMPT-72s – was assigned to the 90th Guards Tank Division, which is stationed in the Sverdlovsk and Chelyabinsk areas of the Urals region in Central Russia, according to Russian news agency TASS.
While the BMPT-72 has been tested in Syria, equipping a regular army division with the vehicles also known as the Terminator 2 – indicates that the Russian Army believes the vehicle is ready for combat.
“The first regular company of nine tank support fighting vehicles in the Russian armed forces was introduced into the table of organization and equipment of a tank regiment of the military district’s armored division,” said Colonel-General Alexander Lapin, commander of the Central Military District.
The BMPT-72 is considered a “tank support combat vehicle,” which in this case means a tank is designed to support other tanks, as compared to traditional main battle tanks (MBT). The Terminator is built on the chassis of the ubiquitous T-72 main battle tank, of which 25,000 were built since the 1970s. But instead of mounting a 125-millimeter cannon in a big turret, the BMPT-72 has a small turret armed with an array of weapons: two 30-millimeter cannon, four Ataka antitank missiles, two rapid-fire 30-millimeter grenade launchers, and a heavy machine gun.
This diverse suite of weapons allows the Terminator to engage multiple types of targets, including tanks, infantry, fortifications, helicopters and low-flying aircraft. At the same time, using a tank chassis offers the heavy armored protection found on tank hulls, as well as the off-road mobility of a fully tracked vehicle.
Russia Has Deployed Its First Terminator Tanks
Russia has deployed its first regular unit of Terminator combat support tanks. The first Terminator company – equipped with nine BMPT-72s – was assigned to the 90th Guards Tank Division.
www.19fortyfive.com
- Reaction score
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Russia has made no secret of its intent to de-escalate threats to the homeland by using tactical nuclear weapons against neighbouring states
"Putin developed Russia’s nuclear strategy, which allows for the first use of nuclear weapons in conventional war, when he was secretary of the Russian National Security Council Staff. Russian nuclear doctrine allows for the first use of nuclear weapons in “regional or even a local” war. Starting in 1999, Russia began to simulate the first use of nuclear weapons in large, theater-war exercises. Since 2000, all large-scale Russian military exercises have reportedly featured simulations of limited Russian nuclear strikes. Russia characterizes the first use of nuclear weapons as “de-escalation” of aggression."
China appears to be following suit.
"Recently, China’s own nuclear breakout – termed "breathtaking" by USSTRATCOM Commander ADM Richard – has come to light as several previously unknown missile fields have revealed unexpected near-term strategic parity, together with a surge of unknown size in its theater nuclear forces. China has accelerated development, production and deployment of advanced, precision, theater-range, dual-capable missile systems while massively expanding its secretive nuclear warhead production site, Pingtung. None of China’s 800+ nuclear weapons (our private, detailed estimate) are treaty accountable, and some of them may well soon be arming their newest hypersonic missiles."
The counter-move appears to be well under way.
In addition to the US Army re-deploying Theatre range missiles (albeit conventionally armed) similar in concept to the Pershings and Ground Launched Cruise Missiles of the Reagan era, the US is actively upgrading their "battlefield nukes" that fall outside the scope of SALT and START treaties. Treaties that have been abrogated, ignored or never signed in any event.
www.realcleardefense.com
breakingdefense.com
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to war.
(Ironic call heard in the 1980s - "Ban the bomb! Make the battlefield safe again.")
"Putin developed Russia’s nuclear strategy, which allows for the first use of nuclear weapons in conventional war, when he was secretary of the Russian National Security Council Staff. Russian nuclear doctrine allows for the first use of nuclear weapons in “regional or even a local” war. Starting in 1999, Russia began to simulate the first use of nuclear weapons in large, theater-war exercises. Since 2000, all large-scale Russian military exercises have reportedly featured simulations of limited Russian nuclear strikes. Russia characterizes the first use of nuclear weapons as “de-escalation” of aggression."
China appears to be following suit.
"Recently, China’s own nuclear breakout – termed "breathtaking" by USSTRATCOM Commander ADM Richard – has come to light as several previously unknown missile fields have revealed unexpected near-term strategic parity, together with a surge of unknown size in its theater nuclear forces. China has accelerated development, production and deployment of advanced, precision, theater-range, dual-capable missile systems while massively expanding its secretive nuclear warhead production site, Pingtung. None of China’s 800+ nuclear weapons (our private, detailed estimate) are treaty accountable, and some of them may well soon be arming their newest hypersonic missiles."
The counter-move appears to be well under way.
In addition to the US Army re-deploying Theatre range missiles (albeit conventionally armed) similar in concept to the Pershings and Ground Launched Cruise Missiles of the Reagan era, the US is actively upgrading their "battlefield nukes" that fall outside the scope of SALT and START treaties. Treaties that have been abrogated, ignored or never signed in any event.
To Deter China, Invest in Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons
Escalation. It’s Indiana Jones pulling out a revolver in response to the whirling blades of the Arabian fighter. It’s also Russia or China employing ultra-low-yield theater nuclear weapons
Updated B61 nuclear warhead enters production - Breaking Defense
The new B61-12, with replaced or refurbished components, will be used by the F-15, F-16 and B-2, among others.
breakingdefense.com
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to war.
(Ironic call heard in the 1980s - "Ban the bomb! Make the battlefield safe again.")
- Reaction score
- 8,481
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"B61 Mod 12
As of 2013 the Pentagon saw the B83 nuclear bomb as a "relic of the Cold War," believing that deploying a megaton-yield gravity bomb, the highest level nuclear weapon left in the U.S. inventory, to Europe is "inconceivable" at this point. It also can only be carried by the B-2 bomber, and integrating it onto additional aircraft would be costly. The Mod 12 upgrade is being pursued as a forward-deployed tactical/strategic nuclear weapon to protect NATO and Asian allies since it can be used from dual-capable fighter aircraft, as well as planned to arm the F-35 and B-21 Raider, and its lower yield options make it more flexible with less collateral effects. Recapitalizing the B61 is hoped to lead to the retirement of the B83, resulting in the elimination of the last megaton-yield U.S. bomb and leave the B61-series as the only U.S. gravity nuclear bomb.[45]
In 2013, the Pentagon and NNSA stated that if B61 refurbishment did not begin by 2019, components in the existing weapons could begin to fail.[46] In 2013 Tom Collina of the Arms Control Association said that the new development could complicate arms control efforts with Russia.[47]
In 2014, Congress slashed funding for the project and called for alternates to be studied.[48] In January 2014, former Air Force Chief of Staff Norton A. Schwartz stated that the Mod 12 nuclear bomb upgrade would have enhanced accuracy and a lower yield with less fallout compared to previous versions of the weapon. Accuracy has not been a guarantee for air-dropped nuclear weapons, so consequently large warheads were needed to effectively impact a target; the Mod 11 nuclear earth-penetrator is accurate to 110–170 meters from the desired detonation location, so it requires a 400-kiloton warhead. The Mod 12 is accurate to 30 meters from a target and only requires a 50-kiloton warhead. Schwartz believes that greater accuracy would both improve the weapon and create a different target set it can be useful against. An example is the higher-yield Mod 11's role of attacking underground bunkers that need a ground burst to create a crater and destroy it through the shockwave. A 50-kiloton yield detonating on the ground produces a crater with a radius of 30–68 meters, depending on the density of the surface, effectively putting the bunker within the circular error probability.[49]
In 2014 critics said that a more accurate and less destructive nuclear weapon would make leaders less cautious about deploying it, while Schwartz said it would deter adversaries more because the U.S. would be more willing to use it in situations where necessary. The improved accuracy would make it more effective than the previous Mod 3/4 currently deployed to the continent. F-16 and Panavia Tornado aircraft cannot interface with the new bomb due to electronic differences, but NATO countries buying the F-35 would be able to utilize it.[49] The first flight test for an inert Mod 12 was conducted in 2015, with a second successful test in August 2017.[50][51]
In November 2015, a test of the Mod 12 was conducted where the bomb penetrated underground, showing its potential as a nuclear earth-penetrator. Although ground penetration was not an objective of the Mod 12 upgrade, this could allow it to take up the penetrating mission of the Mod 11, which has no life-extension planned and will expire in the 2030s. Being able to penetrate underground increases its effectiveness against buried targets, as it more efficiently transmits explosive energy through enhanced ground-shock coupling, allowing its max yield of 50 kilotons underground to have the equivalent surface-burst capability of a 750 kt to 1.25 megaton weapon. The Mod 12's increased accuracy and earth-penetration capability allows a lower strike yield to be selected, reducing radioactive fallout risk, potentially making it more attractive to military planners.[52] However the Mod 12 does not have the reinforced structure of the Mod 11 which will be retained in service for the ground penetrating mission.[53]
The Mod 12 Life Extension Program continued in 2018 and on 29 June 2018 two successful non-nuclear system qualification flight tests at Tonopah Test Range were reported.[54] In October 2018, the Mod 12 guided tail-kit assembly received Milestone C approval to enter the production phase; the TKA went through the traditional test program in under 11 months, achieving a 100% success rate for all 31 bomb drops.[55] The B61-12 nuclear bomb completed its successful flight tests with the US Air Force’s F-15E in June 2020. It was dropped from above 25,000ft and was in the air for approximately 55 seconds before hitting the target.[56]"
en.wikipedia.org
I presume that the 715 lb B61 is also compatible with various JDAM, JDAM-ER and various Glide Bomb kits giving precision strike capability from stand off ranges of greater than 100 km
As of 2013 the Pentagon saw the B83 nuclear bomb as a "relic of the Cold War," believing that deploying a megaton-yield gravity bomb, the highest level nuclear weapon left in the U.S. inventory, to Europe is "inconceivable" at this point. It also can only be carried by the B-2 bomber, and integrating it onto additional aircraft would be costly. The Mod 12 upgrade is being pursued as a forward-deployed tactical/strategic nuclear weapon to protect NATO and Asian allies since it can be used from dual-capable fighter aircraft, as well as planned to arm the F-35 and B-21 Raider, and its lower yield options make it more flexible with less collateral effects. Recapitalizing the B61 is hoped to lead to the retirement of the B83, resulting in the elimination of the last megaton-yield U.S. bomb and leave the B61-series as the only U.S. gravity nuclear bomb.[45]
In 2013, the Pentagon and NNSA stated that if B61 refurbishment did not begin by 2019, components in the existing weapons could begin to fail.[46] In 2013 Tom Collina of the Arms Control Association said that the new development could complicate arms control efforts with Russia.[47]
In 2014, Congress slashed funding for the project and called for alternates to be studied.[48] In January 2014, former Air Force Chief of Staff Norton A. Schwartz stated that the Mod 12 nuclear bomb upgrade would have enhanced accuracy and a lower yield with less fallout compared to previous versions of the weapon. Accuracy has not been a guarantee for air-dropped nuclear weapons, so consequently large warheads were needed to effectively impact a target; the Mod 11 nuclear earth-penetrator is accurate to 110–170 meters from the desired detonation location, so it requires a 400-kiloton warhead. The Mod 12 is accurate to 30 meters from a target and only requires a 50-kiloton warhead. Schwartz believes that greater accuracy would both improve the weapon and create a different target set it can be useful against. An example is the higher-yield Mod 11's role of attacking underground bunkers that need a ground burst to create a crater and destroy it through the shockwave. A 50-kiloton yield detonating on the ground produces a crater with a radius of 30–68 meters, depending on the density of the surface, effectively putting the bunker within the circular error probability.[49]
In 2014 critics said that a more accurate and less destructive nuclear weapon would make leaders less cautious about deploying it, while Schwartz said it would deter adversaries more because the U.S. would be more willing to use it in situations where necessary. The improved accuracy would make it more effective than the previous Mod 3/4 currently deployed to the continent. F-16 and Panavia Tornado aircraft cannot interface with the new bomb due to electronic differences, but NATO countries buying the F-35 would be able to utilize it.[49] The first flight test for an inert Mod 12 was conducted in 2015, with a second successful test in August 2017.[50][51]
In November 2015, a test of the Mod 12 was conducted where the bomb penetrated underground, showing its potential as a nuclear earth-penetrator. Although ground penetration was not an objective of the Mod 12 upgrade, this could allow it to take up the penetrating mission of the Mod 11, which has no life-extension planned and will expire in the 2030s. Being able to penetrate underground increases its effectiveness against buried targets, as it more efficiently transmits explosive energy through enhanced ground-shock coupling, allowing its max yield of 50 kilotons underground to have the equivalent surface-burst capability of a 750 kt to 1.25 megaton weapon. The Mod 12's increased accuracy and earth-penetration capability allows a lower strike yield to be selected, reducing radioactive fallout risk, potentially making it more attractive to military planners.[52] However the Mod 12 does not have the reinforced structure of the Mod 11 which will be retained in service for the ground penetrating mission.[53]
The Mod 12 Life Extension Program continued in 2018 and on 29 June 2018 two successful non-nuclear system qualification flight tests at Tonopah Test Range were reported.[54] In October 2018, the Mod 12 guided tail-kit assembly received Milestone C approval to enter the production phase; the TKA went through the traditional test program in under 11 months, achieving a 100% success rate for all 31 bomb drops.[55] The B61-12 nuclear bomb completed its successful flight tests with the US Air Force’s F-15E in June 2020. It was dropped from above 25,000ft and was in the air for approximately 55 seconds before hitting the target.[56]"
B61 nuclear bomb - Wikipedia
I presume that the 715 lb B61 is also compatible with various JDAM, JDAM-ER and various Glide Bomb kits giving precision strike capability from stand off ranges of greater than 100 km
- Reaction score
- 1,773
- Points
- 1,060
Russia Has Deployed Its First Terminator Tanks
Russia has deployed its first regular unit of Terminator combat support tanks.
The first Terminator company – equipped with nine BMPT-72s – was assigned to the 90th Guards Tank Division, which is stationed in the Sverdlovsk and Chelyabinsk areas of the Urals region in Central Russia, according to Russian news agency TASS.
While the BMPT-72 has been tested in Syria, equipping a regular army division with the vehicles also known as the Terminator 2 – indicates that the Russian Army believes the vehicle is ready for combat.
“The first regular company of nine tank support fighting vehicles in the Russian armed forces was introduced into the table of organization and equipment of a tank regiment of the military district’s armored division,” said Colonel-General Alexander Lapin, commander of the Central Military District.
The BMPT-72 is considered a “tank support combat vehicle,” which in this case means a tank is designed to support other tanks, as compared to traditional main battle tanks (MBT). The Terminator is built on the chassis of the ubiquitous T-72 main battle tank, of which 25,000 were built since the 1970s. But instead of mounting a 125-millimeter cannon in a big turret, the BMPT-72 has a small turret armed with an array of weapons: two 30-millimeter cannon, four Ataka antitank missiles, two rapid-fire 30-millimeter grenade launchers, and a heavy machine gun.
This diverse suite of weapons allows the Terminator to engage multiple types of targets, including tanks, infantry, fortifications, helicopters and low-flying aircraft. At the same time, using a tank chassis offers the heavy armored protection found on tank hulls, as well as the off-road mobility of a fully tracked vehicle.
Russia Has Deployed Its First Terminator Tanks
Russia has deployed its first regular unit of Terminator combat support tanks. The first Terminator company – equipped with nine BMPT-72s – was assigned to the 90th Guards Tank Division.
and we can't even get any sort of Anti Tank or Air Defence turret for our LAV's. The BMPT-72 sounds like a real beast
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