Irans Big Nuclear News

[Troll]

Also an interesting article about Greece helping the Israelis practice against the potent Russian S-300 air defence system

Trying to find out who is behind the cutting edge to see how impartial its reporting is

[Troll]

but it could escalate into something really nasty.

oil at $300 @ barrel...fill yer boots!

[Troll]

...and already the thread is tagged with guinea pig!!

[KimberleyChris]

I would be surprised if Iran actually had a viable warhead yet.

Even if they have secretly enriched enough U235 for the pit, the real art of nuclear weapons is in the detonation system.

They could possibly assemble a simple 'Hiroshima' style fission weapon, but they are a long way from thermonuclear weapons.

It would be impractical to mount a big fission warhead to a missile, so they would have to fly it all the way to Israel, and I don't think that the Israeli Air Force would let it in:-)

[gingerjedi]

Also an interesting article about Greece helping the Israelis practice against the potent Russian S-300 air defence system

Trying to find out who is behind the cutting edge to see how impartial its reporting is

Interesting that Greece has so much Russian military hardware and Turkey have so much Yank kit.

They obviously still hold a grudge over Cyprus which is understandable I suppose.

[AtW]

That wasn't your point which was that F16 are short range fighters

F-16 Range: More than 2,002 miles ferry range (1,740 nautical miles) - half it if you plan to return back with zero time spent at location bombing.

Source: Factsheets : F-16 Fighting Falcon

Compare with F-15 range:

Ferry range: 3,450 mi (3,000 nmi, 5,550 km) with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks

Source: McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[scooterscot]

I would be surprised if Iran actually had a viable warhead yet.

Even if they have secretly enriched enough U235 for the pit, the real art of nuclear weapons is in the detonation system.

They could possibly assemble a simple 'Hiroshima' style fission weapon, but they are a long way from thermonuclear weapons.

It would be impractical to mount a big fission warhead to a missile, so they would have to fly it all the way to Israel, and I don't think that the Israeli Air Force would let it in:-)

I think the point is misplaced. If indeed such weaponry is revealed the purpose is not get rid of it in a brilliant flash of light. Just having one gives them a "I can do anything and get away with it card"

Next thing we have is a cold war.

[Troll]

F-16 Range: More than 2,002 miles ferry range (1,740 nautical miles) - half it if you plan to return back with zero time spent at location bombing.

Source: Factsheets : F-16 Fighting Falcon

Compare with F-15 range:

Ferry range: 3,450 mi (3,000 nmi, 5,550 km) with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks

Source: McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

yeah but we are talking F16I for the IAF

Ferry range: 3890 km

[KimberleyChris]

I think the point is misplaced. If indeed such weaponry is revealed the purpose is not get rid of it in a brilliant flash of light. Just having one gives them a "I can do anything and get away with it card"

Next thing we have is a cold war.

True. If Iran detonated a warhead over Israel, then Iran would probably be erased from history within the hour.

What would we do IF Iran joined the nuclear club? Sanctions would have to become a blockade, and suspicious vehicles etc. sneaking into the other side of Iran would have to be destroyed.

Looks grim.

[AtW]

yeah but we are talking F16I for the IAF Ferry range: 3890 km

3890 km is around 2400 miles of which 2000 needed to go there and back using shortest path between Israel and Iran, this leaves very little for any issues.

Having said that they'd probably refuel in mid air somewhere.