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Politics : Al Gore vs George Bush: the moderate's perspective -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TimF who wrote (4334)	11/2/2000 3:37:26 PM
From: Hawkmoon	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 10042

Actually, the Cole is an Arleigh Burke class destroyer, carrying most of the same capabilities of an Aegis class cruiser with regard to air defense. It is EXTREMELY MODERN in design. However, I was incorrect in repeating initial reports as to the size of the charge. The first reports indicated a shaped charge of some 80 pounds in size, whereas I just read today that authorities believe it was between 400-700 pounds of C4 plastic explosive. But given the degree of "disinformation" coming out of the Pentagon at this time, I would hold either figure as unreliable. Certainly, were the charge relatively small in size, but a directed explosion, like a shape charge, it could cause considerable damage but I would believe the hole in the side of the ship would be relatively minor (for explanation on how a shape charge works, see: hydrosoft.com ) Shape charges direct the majority of the explosive energy of the explosion in one direction, which then projects out in a plasma like molten "jet" which literally vaporizes the metal it comes in touch with (like a plasma torch). The remaining energy then expands behind the metal armour with considerable concussive force and spalling (bits of molten metal flying around). The evidence for such a shape charge would be that C4 plastic explosive is ideally suited to the creation of such a low-weight device that would be necessary in order to be carried aboard a rubber zodiac style raft (if that was the actual boat used in the attack). However, it also appears that the ragged edges of the blast hole appeared to me to be pointed inward, which indicates a larger blast that "pushes" against the hull rather than penetrated and then blasting back as a shape charge should (ricocheting off the interior buldheads). Anyway... the navy certainly would not like to create the impression that a small warhead would be responsible for disabling such a modern warship. So I imagine they will continue to use the 400-700 pound reference, which equates to the explosive force of a Harpoon anti-ship missile. Regards, Ron