![[Image: Topol.jpg]](http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m455/jokerbird_photo/Topol.jpg)
Second Topol-M ICBM battalion to go on combat duty by year-end -1
During 2004, Russia conducted 15 ICBM tests. More than the rest of the world combined.
The new Topol is all about being hard to shoot down in its final stage of flight. In this regard, its the most advanced missle in the world.
****************************************************
"If the U.S. proceeds with missile defense plans, despite serious opposition from people in Europe, the Strategic Missile Forces will manage to take adequate measures to counter threats to Russia," he said.
But a top Russian military official said Russia's mid-term military development program would not be reviewed, despite U.S. missile plans.
"The Armed Forces development plan through 2010 was approved by the Russian president. It is being implemented and will not be amended," said Gen. Yury Baluyevsky, chief of the General Staff of Russia's Armed Forces.
****************************************************
This missile flies 10,500 KM. Its 7800 KM from Moscow to Washington DC.
It carries a 550kt warhead. Russia presently has only 36 of these fellas on active duty.
![[Image: SiloLid.jpg]](http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m455/jokerbird_photo/SiloLid.jpg)
The silo version.
So, the Whitehouse is putting a missile defense system in Poland. To protect against Iran?? and terrorists and bad guys. But they are not putting it in because of this.
My question would be .. if that where true.. why the hell not? What kind of President isnt concerned about this?
Oh.. I forgot.
The Topol was designed by a computer.
In early 1997 Russian Atomic energy officials (MINATOM) admitted that an IBM super-computer was purchased from Europe by MINATOM in late 1996 for $7 million. The IBM super-computer was transferred directly to the nuclear weapons center in Arzamas-16. In addition, MINATOM official admitted that that Silicon Graphics, Inc., sold four computers to Chelyabinsk-70, another Russian weapons facility in the fall of 1996 for $650,000 each.
An IBM computer.
Well, it could be either......
Incompetent
Bush
Mistake
Intelligent
Bolshevik
Manoeuvre
or maybe it's just because.....
Idiots
Became
Managers
Canadaianbird Wrote:So, the Whitehouse is putting a missile defense system in Poland. To protect against Iran?? and terrorists and bad guys. But they are not putting it in because of this.
My question would be .. if that where true.. why the hell not? What kind of President isnt concerned about this?
Do you honestly think the U.S. is ignoring any threats such as this?
We can do more than one thing at a time.( I am sure Steve will have a response to that)
AK
The cold war started again in 2002. The difference, is that Russia is really wealthy this time, and they are just getting richer.
Perhaps Russia will put a missile defense system in Cuba to protect South America from Chinese missile strikes. It follows the same logic.
This missile defense system is obvious. The Radar going into Prague is not a deterent to Russia because its not capable of tracking enough targets. So the USA says, "here, have a look at the technology, its no threat to you guys".
Russia says " that radar can be easily upgraded to track hundreds of targets". Once the political news of placing it in Prague is over, upgrading can be done silently.
The location of the missiles, Northern Poland, is the ideal spot for defending against the Russian "Silo field" north of Moscow. So Putin suggested that the defense system go into Iraq or Turkey, closer to Iran, the "claimed threat"
Somehow, Northern Poland is more desireable than Iraq. The defense missiles fly 40% faster than an ICBM. If placed in Iraq or Turkey, they would never catch up to missiles fired over the pole, which had a couple thousand mile head start.
Don't forget this system is still in development. It can always be upgraded to meet future needs. Obviously it can only be placed in countries who will allow it. Believe it or not, they are not a bunch of idiots running that program. I have been involved in some of the testing. It is very impressive, more than you will ever read about.
AK
From what I have read, its a souped up Minutman. 40% faster than a typical ICBM. Its also Nuclear capable.
If it where in Iraq, it would not catch up to an ICBM from Northern Russia going over the pole. So Poland is a logical place.
The Russians are spending billion on ICBM R&D again. So its logical that the US would try to come up with a defense. Defending from your own shores is no longer the logical choice, if you are the target.
So this all makes total sense. It makes sense to put it in Poland, Sweden, Finland or Denmark. It makes sense to install a Radar in Prague, that can be expanded to track hundreds of targets. It makes sense that Putin would be annoyed about it ..
The only thing that doesnt make sense is suggesting that they are defending Europe from Iran
I guess Russian ICBMs pointing at the US and capable of avoiding their anti-missile defences would be considered a threat and an escallation. The US has to react to it. Missile defences in eastern Europe would be a temporary measure to provide defences until something better is devised.
It all makes sense.
Acanuck, we agree.
If I where the Pentagon, I would be very concerned. The wealthier Russia gets, the worse the relationship with the West gets.
The Topol is supposed to be very difficult to shoot down because it fly's in some random pattern, making tracking difficult. So even if the US could shoot one down, the obvious risk is in defending against a volley of them. Say.. 20 missiles.
The logical method would be to not let them get into that last stage of flight. The bulk of the high tech Russian silo's are north of Moscow, 350 km from Northern Poland.
Which, according to the White House, is the ideal spot to also defend against missiles flying out of Iran..
Putin is using the west as a bogeyman to distract the average Russian from the lack of progress in Russia. Sure they have a small group of super wealthy but liberalization hasn't really penetrated their society. It has moved backwards politically since Yeltsin died. And he was a crook too.
So that dirtbag Putin drums up "tensions" with the USA to help keep himself and the rest of his kleptocracy in power.
Whipping up an external enemy to consolidate your grip on power is Dictatorship 101 - Fidel has dined out on it for 50 years.
How you got that out of what I said, I have no idea.
We weren't even talking 'bout Cuba.
But since you asked.....noone in the U.S government who is up on this matter really gives a rats ass what fidel uses as an excuse.
That is not what it is about. the U.S. does not want U.S. companies trying to get into Cuba and helping to support that regime.
believe it or not, there are people who put money over repression.
The embargo has also helped in keeping Cuba from becoming a military threat. Since they are only 90 miles away, they could be a problem if they actually had a real Air Force or Navy. It was proven they don't, when they only shot down two out of three of the unarmed civilian Cessnas. Had those been F-18's, Cuba would a been a hurtin.
AK
