U.S. project could start atomic war, experts warn

[Judi Lynn]

Oct. 7, 2006, 11:33PM
U.S. project could start atomic war, experts warn
Refitted missiles may sound alarm and prompt nuclear response by Russia

By ERIC ROSENBERG
Copyright 2006 Hearst News Service

WASHINGTON — A Pentagon project to modify its deadliest nuclear missile for use as a conventional weapon against targets such as North Korea and Iran could unwittingly spark an atomic war, two weapons experts warned Thursday.

Russian military officers might misconstrue a submarine-launched conventional D-5 intercontinental ballistic missile and conclude that Russia is under nuclear attack, said MIT's Ted Postol, a physicist and professor of science, technology and national security policy, and Pavel Podvig, a physicist and weapons specialist at Stanford University.

"Any launch of a long-range non-nuclear armed sea or land ballistic missile will cause an automated alert of the Russian early warning system," Postol told reporters.

The triggering of an alert wouldn't necessarily precipitate a retaliatory hail of Russian nuclear missiles, Postol said. Nevertheless, he said, "there can be no doubt that such an alert will greatly increase the chances of a nuclear accident involving strategic nuclear forces."
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/4242535.html

[xchrom]

1. the pentagon must have it's toys.

first -- so that it can justify it's existence.

second -- so that it can properly impress certain countries -- like china.

[NVMojo]

22. and the neocons must have their Armagedon budget to spend

[DRoseDARs]

2. Does Russia have the ability to determine the flight trajectory?

If it does, then they're probably smart enough to figure out they aren't being attacked. However, I'm not saying this ISN'T a bad idea for the Pentagon to undertake...

[localroger]

9. Not in time

The problem with ICBM's is that once you detect the incoming attack, you have only a few minutes to launch the counterattack. The decision to launch has to be made in a minute or two, before you can really tell exactly where it's aimed. Just detecting an incoming attack at all is a major hassle, because it's coming from over the horizon and you have to weed out all the legitimate satellites in the background.

[indepat]

3. These are just risks necessary to fully implementing the PNAC agenda

[dubykc]

8. I'm sure they do, but....

if they detected an ICBM heading toward their country would they take the time to calculate the trajectory?

Would we?

I'm thinking Rummy would be doing a "happy dance", screaming "It's about time!!"

[magellan]

4. Can't you just see BushCo in their fortified bunker

...mumbling "We had no idea this would happen" for the cameras...and then laughing and high-fiving each other as the nukes go off above.

[Lindacooks]

13. If chimpy rushes to a fortified bunker, how will Jesus get him?

I thought that was the whole point! Armageddon is what chimpy wants, right? So why would he hide in a bunker if he's going to be airlifted straight to heaven??

[ldf]

14. because the chimp doesn't believe shit

it's all an act.

"FUCK Saddam, he's going DOWN!"

does that sound like someone who is in ANY degree a christian?

[HysteryDiagnosis]

5. Why in the hell would Russia think that we would entertain

such insanity?? The mere fact that we have these types of weapons clearly shows that mankind does not deserve the deed to this planet. I'm sure the landlord will be coming soon to take care of business.

[libhill]

7. If He exists -

he'd better hurry up. Or there won't be anyone left alive to conduct His business with...

[ClintonTyree]

6. Rapture........here we come!

Anything that hastens the Rapture is AOK in the Christofascists playbook. Bring 'em on!

[Massachusetts]

10. FUBAR.

Hold onto your hats Ladies and Gents.

[Vincardog]

20. SNAFUBAR

[Gregorian]

11. That's the whole point. Isn't it.

Cue the giant glowing faces of the Bush family, James Baker, Kissinger all rubbing their hands. A green radioactive planet in the foreground. "It's ours, all ours. We finally own the whole thing."

I'm unable to conjur up the next scene due to a severe lack of espresso.

[formercia]

12. I just can't justify using a multi-Billion $ weapons system

to deliver a half ton of conventional explosives that might not damage the target. It's idiotic.

It's a weapon of provocation. Russian Roulette with ICBM's.

[Strelnikov_]

16. Agree. I think This Program Is For The Benefit Of One Party Only . .

the defense contractor.

[badgerpup]

15. Maybe THIS is the 'October Surprise'.

I fucking HATE surprises.
I really, really do.
Especially when they involve bombs.

[kimmerspixelated]

21. And

our fucked up leadership!

[bhikkhu]

17. read somewhere a couple of years ago related to this...

that the Russian nuclear response used to be centrally coordinated like ours, designed to allow a judgement call from the top in the event of an alert - getting the warheads off the ground before incoming could target them being the priority.

"El diablo" and company apparently retargetted some of our arsenal to destroy the command structures that would enable launches. Therefore - Russian systems are now subject to localized control systems with more or less automated responses. Given the questionable nature of Russian technology, this multiplies the risk of accident many times over...such is the world we live in now.

[teryang]

18. Use a strategic delivery system for a conventional payload?

Spending the most possible money without regard for consequences, international or fiscal. Who owns stock in the missile system producers?

[Fovea]

19. THis is a brilliant idea

I hear they will go on to use binary chemical shells to distribute flu vacine.

[w4rma]

23. Yup. The neocons are still totally moonbat insane. (nt)

[libhill]

25. Why wouldn't they be -

they want to reduce population world wide by 80% and they all assume that they and theirs will be safely whisked away to secure underground areas when the shit storm begins. They could care less about the rest of us. But their Sam Six-pack and Nancy Nascar voting base are to fukkin' stupid too understand that.

[David__77]

24. Russia's not fuckin around..

Their defense system is pretty hard-wired, i.e., they WILL respond to perceived threats like the ones described. We came very close to nuclear war several times during the 80s. Putin is no pantywaist.