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This is the "counter" to Russia's addition of similar missiles with the implicit threat to Europe. It has been interesting to talk with pro Russian folks who s
by altcognito 7y ago
This is the "counter" to Russia's addition of similar missiles with the implicit threat to Europe.
It has been interesting to talk with pro Russian folks who seemed to think that a nuclear powered battlefield would somehow tip in their favor because their tanks were "nuclear radiation hardened".
I tried to explain that a nuclear exchange, small or not made no difference. Tanks are meaningless once nukes are introduced as they tip the scales so heavily in favor of "self preservation".
I would echo the other comments I've seen here that nuclear winter/collapse of civilization is vastly more likely as an end to civilization lately as arrogant, fatalist, cynical dictators and at times democratically elected presidents have gotten dreams of being written into the history pages. I'd say disappointing, but honestly it is more pathetic than anything else.
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- godelski 7y ago> their tanks were "nuclear radiation hardened". Because their tanks are made of plastic? (I am being a little facetious, but if you know just a little about radiation shielding, a common neutron (what you'll see in a bomb) shield is polyethylene. They do make bullet proof vests out of this but I've never heard of a tank being made out of spectra)
- catalogia 7y agoIt probably just means the tanks had air filters, maybe a positive pressure atmosphere.
- godelski 7y agoI assume that's what they actually mean, but it is less funny. Though steel will probably become more radioactive as neutrons bombard it. But that's better than breathing in radioactive dust.
- catalogia 7y ago> Though steel will probably become more radioactive as neutrons bombard it. The British and Australian governments tested this with Centurion tank #169041. They nuked it, then a few days later had a human crew jump in and drive it away. Most of the crew died of cancer years later.
- altcognito 7y agogot me: no idea. I would think giant thick steel plates would be reasonable protection against fallout but I’m no expert on that matter.
- godelski 7y agoSteel won't actually be great for nukes because the primary radiation is neutrons. The steel will probably become radioactive. But then the steel will be good at blocking that radiation.
- dingaling 7y agoThe Soviets used a lining inside the hull as a neutron shield. That was omitted from the export models. I can't remember its composition but it was like a dark grey quilted blanket.
- godelski 7y agoOh cool! That is actually different from what I was realistically thinking. This does make a lot of sense.