A weird Question

[MEP]

I was wondering if anyone heard of any of these reports about Russian vacuum bombs. Supposable these bombs suck the air out of a 2mile area sufficating anyone there. Anyone here about this. It was on the news and is reported on the chechan web site. http://www.kavkaz.org
I don't know if this is just propagando for the Chechian rebals or what.. curious to know if these is true or even possible.
Thank you.

[JY]

Hi MEP;

I think what they are talking about is the aerosol(sp?) explosives originally intended to strip trees and vegetation from forested and jungle areas originally used in RVN. After it was used for this it was also found to be a good anti personnel weapon and also as a biodegradable mine field. It can be sprayed, delivered by arty, missile, bombs, and just about any way you can think of to deliver the "mist". Once in place it is detonated by a second "round" or left until needed or allowed to degrade.

When it is detonated it creats an overpressure, that is the explosion creats a vacuum then the air rushes back in, this would result in what they are reporting as suffocation. Would the Russians use this, they have before in Afghanistan so that's a big roger. Is the report embellished, sure for shock effect 2 mile area sounds much more brutal than several square football fields. Don't want to go into the make up of this weapon here, it's very easy to make, and this is an open forum.

I'm a little suprised that the Russians have not used this more, along with other chemical weapons. They are BRUTAL in combat ops, I think with the "new" guy in power this war will become more and more like the the Afghan War, he can't afford to loose or let it draw out into a long war. take care MEP...Jim

[MEP]

Thanks JY for the info.. I thought it sounded crazy. The weapon that was reported would have been highly publicized I think.
The bomb you were describing is that the same as an FAE bomb? Thanks again JY.

[JY]

Hi MEP;

The same type 8) Did a number one triple canopy 8)

Just saw some tape on the Russian version, called TOS-1 nickname "Pinochio", they state it's a fuel oil/napalm mixture used. By the looks of the detonation is the same animal, signiture looks identical as do the end results. Think Putin's face may be "red" on this one, as is against international law to use this on civilians.

Take care...Jim

[This message has been edited by JY (edited 01-28-2000).]

[MEP]

Thanks again JY, your full of great information..

[JY]

Hi MEP;

Anytime, as an aside the Russians are using a full track MRL (mult.Rocket laucher) built on what appears to be a T-72 chassis to launch this weapon, looks very similar to our MLRs with an enclosed rocket container, that may be "magazine loaded" with the rockets shipped in the lauching container for fast reloads.

Take care...Jim