Nuclear Resurgence

Posted by admin | Posted in News, Nuclear Weapons, Wars, Weapons of War | Posted on 20-12-2010

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Whenever we talk about this issue comes to our mind the image of weapons of war, the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, current interests of many countries get the bomb technology, terrorism, beyond the accidents at Three Mile Island plant in U.S. and Chernobyl in the former USSR. After a few years, technology has advanced and awareness of the care process was expanded at the same time that nuclear power is no longer stigmatized by environmentalists – there is still some resistance, but focused on what came to be called “radioactive waste”. We realize that to a large extent, despite the technological advancement and acceptance of nuclear power plants, the imagery of humanity even inadvertently associated the production of electricity from nuclear power to those events. Unfortunately. It is important to draw the attention of readers that nuclear weapons need to enrich uranium at a concentration greater than 95%, and few countries are capable of doing it. For the production of electricity at nuclear plants, uranium must be enriched to less than 1% and only three countries have mastered the nuclear fuel cycle. You can not confuse the peaceful use in the production of electricity and medicine with artifacts of war.

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MG-34 General Purpose Machine Gun

Posted by admin | Posted in Machine Guns, Weapons of War | Posted on 06-10-2010

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MG-34 General Purpose Machine Gun

GrB-39 Grenade Launcher

Posted by admin | Posted in Machine Guns, Weapons of War | Posted on 06-10-2010

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GrB-39 Grenade Launcher

The Father of The Atomic Bomb

Posted by admin | Posted in Atomic Bomb, Wars, Weapons of War, WWII | Posted on 20-09-2010

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It would be the brilliant scientist J.R. Oppenheimer a traitor?

On the morning of August 6, 1945, after the detonation of the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the world discovered astounded that the man had managed to harness the power contained within the atom to create a weapon capable of destruction beyond imagination. This fact was due largely to the intelligence and inspiration of the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, then only 41 years. Born in New York, the son of wealthy parents of German Jewish origin, he entered Harvard University in 1922, graduating with honors in chemistry three years later. Then he traveled to Europe, where he worked with several people in developing theories that would bring him international fame, returning to the U.S. in 1929 to teach at universities in California.

When the War broke out in 1939, the Germans had knowledge of nuclear fission, and the U.S. government decided to create a secret group of scientists, including Edward Teller and Ernest Lawrence, coordinated by Oppenheimer, to develop new weapon. With the code name Manhattan Project, the ultra priority Army program installed researchers at a laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico, closely guarded and exits severely restricted. Oppenheimer fostered an environment of mutual trust and respect that allowed an astonishing progress and with a tireless dedication kept ahead of all the complex events of that effort, even jeopardizing his private life. In less than two years and spending $ 2 billion, the first atomic bomb in history was ready to be tested and soon the Japanese would know its terrible power of destruction.

Los Alamos invention of the atomic bomb was considered the highest point on the U.S. victory over their enemies, saving the lives of about a million soldiers could have died in a possible invasion of Japan After the war, Oppenheimer still a little embarrassed by the consequences of his invention, has agreed to be chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), becoming the most influential adviser on nuclear issues from the government and armed forces. At the time, the West and Stalin’s Russia sought to maintain the balance of forces, with each side devoted to a new arms race by starting the phase of the “Cold War”. Sooner than anticipated in August 1949 the Soviet Union exploded its first nuclear weapon. Although many of the scientists of the Manhattan Project did not support the creation of new weapons, Teller and Lawrence, former employees of Oppenheimer, believed that U.S. security required the rapid development of a hydrogen bomb.

Worried, Oppenheimer has publicly announced its opposition to the new superbomb, becoming the target of an FBI investigation and the envy of other scientists, eager to discredit him. The main one, Edward Teller, dreaming head the new project, suggested that Oppenheimer had made friends with Communists in the 30s and tried to influence the researchers do not work on the hydrogen bomb. The USSR could have figured out how to manufacture an atomic bomb without spying on what they did in America? There could have been treason in Los Alamos? In 1954, J. Edgar Hoover, FBI Director presented a report to the White House in which it supported the accusations that Oppenheimer was a spy agent. A secret process was initiated by the AEC, lasting three weeks, where they were heard over 40 witnesses and produced over 3,000 pages of reports, with full collaboration of the investigation, he underwent interrogation hard and exhausting three days. The scientist was found not guilty of handing secrets to foreign countries, but was stripped of his position at the AEC, for personal satisfaction Teller. Only four days before dying Oppenheimer was restored to the public: on 22 November 63, the same day he would be assassinated, President John Kennedy announced that he would grant the Fermi Award to the physical delivery being made by his successor Lyndon Johnson .

Python Air-to-air missile – Israel

Posted by admin | Posted in Weapons of War | Posted on 08-09-2010

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Israel began developing a class sidewinder missile in the early ’60s, when arms embargoes have forced the country to create its own arms industry of high technology. The first air-air missile was Shafrir that in many respects was better than the original American, having collected more than 200 withdrawals over ten years in the service of Israeli Air Force. In 1982, when the IDF went into action in Lebanon, put in use the first examples of a new air-to-air missile named Python 3, which was nothing more than an evolution of Shafrir. It is characterized by a slightly increased with cell stabilizers enflechados tail, but with guidance and propulsion systems similar. Inside Python 3 features a new type of IR sensor with a viewing angle of about 30 °, which can be used in pre-programmed modes, free and radar assisted in distinguishing the target of countermeasures elusive enemy as fires, Bengal, and allows all attacks aspect. At speeds of Mach 4, a range between 5 and 15 km, Python can perform maneuvers up to 40 grams, making it an extremely maneuverable and lethal weapon. His debut match was a great success, being responsible for destroying 50 Syrian fighters in Lebanese skies, becoming the standard missile-FAI, equipping the F-4, F-15, F-16 Kfir and Mirage III . Made by Rafael, was exported to Colombia, South Africa, Thailand and Brazil. In the 90s came the Python 4, which have smaller stabilizers, eletônica digital bicolor all aspect IR sensor designed to be used in conjunction with the helmet-mounted displays, a more powerful engine that produces no smoke and a detonator associated with laser-active a directional warhead. This year it was announced the launch of the latest version: Python 5. BVR-type “fire and forget”, the new sensor incorporates dual-band, with advanced software that allows the pilot to make the acquisition of small targets with stealth features, even through clouds and bad weather conditions. The missile also features sophisticated inertial navigation systems and infrared countermeasures, which further enhances its already fantastic fatality rate.

German Submarine Type XXI

Posted by admin | Posted in Submarines, Weapons of War, WWII | Posted on 03-09-2010

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U-boat type XXI – was a revolutionary German submarine from World War II.
In the design of its hull was a major concern with the hydrodynamics: all structures that could cause some drag (like cannon) were eliminated. The result is that with this new format it has gained more speed when submerged.
Also offered better accommodation for its occupants. He had a freezer for storing food, shower and sink. So a crew that normally would spend weeks at sea on a mission to patrol without showering or shaving have better housing and work.
It was equipped with sophisticated electronic instruments: radar, passive sonar detectors and electromagnetic waves.

Its armament included 23 torpedoes or 17 mines torpedoes + 12. Had six launch tubes located in the bow. It was equipped with a hydraulic system that allowed recharge launch 18 torpedoes in under 20 minutes.

Its maximum speed at the surface was 15.5 knots (29km / h), 17.5 knots submerged (32Km / h) with maximum range of 15,500 nautical miles.

OSS WWII T13 Beano Grenade

Posted by admin | Posted in Explosives, Weapons of War | Posted on 03-09-2010

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This was designed in the later years of the war by the O.S.S. (Office of Strategic Services) the forerunner to the CIA. The manufacturer was Eastman Kodak. The concept was to design a hand grenade shaped like a baseball because it made it easy for anyone to throw and get some distance. This grenade was designed to explode on impact. The weight was 9-ounces. Several people died or were injured during the testing of this product which according to records was planned for World War 2 but was never used.