See other War, War, War Articles
Title: Leaked: Insurgents' New Rockets Up To 50 Times More Deadly
Source:
[None]
URL Source: [None]
Published: Apr 17, 2008
Author: wired
Post Date: 2008-04-17 16:00:46 by tom007
Keywords: None
Views: 119
Comments: 6
Leaked: Insurgents' New Rockets Up To 50 Times More Deadly By David Hambling EmailApril 15, 2008 | 3:00:00 PMCategories: Ammo and Munitions 107mm_rocket The portable, long-range rocket is one of the insurgents favorite weapons; rocket attacks have been causing casualties in the Green Zone in Baghdad recently. So the emergence of this document in Wikileaks recently may suggest cause for concern. Called "Iraq: Proximity Fuses found on 107mm Rockets," it describes how a cache of rockets with unusual fuses (pictured) were discovered: On 16 Feb 2006 Coalition forces discovered a weapons cache at a house located near the intersection of RTE Northstars and RTE Cannucks (38S MB 10569 98193; the WIT report indicated that there was no known city within 6 km of the location). Among the ordnance discovered in the cache were five 107-mm artillery rockets. At least three of these rockets were fused with a fuse not previously seen mated to 107-mm rockets in Iraq. These fuses have been identified as Chinese MD-21 RF proximity fuses. Proximity fuses were developed in WWII, initially for anti-aircraft use but later to increase the effectiveness of artillery by allowing shells to burst mid-air, spraying shrapnel over a wider area. Proximity-fused weapons are commonly quoted as being four to six times as deadly against ground troops as those with contact fuses. According to the document from Iraq it varies depending on the nature of the target: • (C//REL TO USA, MCFI) For comparable angles of fall, there is as much as a 30% increase in lethal area for standing personnel. • (C//REL TO USA, MCFI) The lethality of proximity-fused 107-mm rockets can be more than four times greater for prone, protected personnel • (C//REL TO USA, MCFI) The most significant difference is for protected personnel without overhead cover (i.e., a foxhole), where a proximity-fuzed rocket can be 50-60 times more lethal than a point-detonating rocket. The report queries whether the insurgents actually realized what they had -- but notes that it does not make make any difference to the rocket's effectiveness: It is clear that the fuses in the WIT report are MD-21 fuses designed for use with 107-mm rockets, but it may be a mere coincidence in this case that they were correctly associated with their intended munitions. There is not any information to indicate that these fuzes were sought out specifically for their ability to enhance the rockets' lethality. However, the preset nature of these fuses would allow them to function in a proximity mode without the operator ever knowing what type of fuses they were. This is the significance of the discovery; regardless of a user's knowledge of the fuse type, MD-21 proximity fuses can substantially increase the effective area of 107-mm rockets. (My emphasis.) In World War II proximity-fused artillery proved devastatingly effective and caused so many casualties that even General Patton commented, "The funny fuse won the Battle of the Bulge for us. I think that when all armies get this shell we will have to devise some new method of warfare."
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 6.
#2. To: tom007 (#0)
The acquisition of World-War-II era technology doesn't sound particularly threatening.
Ari... From your armchair vantage point, I can understand the unconcern.
I take it you disagree with my view that, even if Iran is supplying these weapons, it is not cause for attacking Iran?
First you would have to manufacture the "proof", and get the sheep to believe it. That is not as easily done now, apart from the 30% that would still love bush if he suddenly turned into a reptilian on national TV. It's as if only a few countries have the ability to make these fuses. Lots of countries have them. Here is a patent for a proximity fuse. You may need to register (free) to read it. www.freepatentsonline.com/39 08551.pdf
There are no replies to Comment # 6. End Trace Mode for Comment # 6.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestIn World War II proximity-fused artillery proved devastatingly effective and caused so many casualties that even General Patton commented, "The funny fuse won the Battle of the Bulge for us. I think that when all armies get this shell we will have to devise some new method of warfare."
#3. To: aristeides (#2)
The acquisition of World-War-II era technology doesn't sound particularly threatening.
#4. To: Cynicom (#3)
#6. To: aristeides (#4)
(Edited)
even if Iran is supplying these weapons, it is not cause for attacking Iran?
Replies to Comment # 6.