Concept of deterrence

[EndtheMadnessNow]

Very very hard to get things going against a threat with such a short flight time.

We may be referring to different things as "tactical nukes" - the ones I'm talking about were also referred to as "battlefield nukes", and were generally supercharged howitzer shells with low-yield nuclear payloads that had a damage radius measured in meters. anywhere from 500 to 1000 meters. They weren't really a danger to anyone not on the battlefield, or farther away than howitzer range. In order for Russians to hit us with those, they would have to disembark with howitzer batteries here in the US.

Same sheet of music, Brother.

Tac nukes/Battlefield nukes can make a mess if their blast radius sucks up dirt. Most of the planning for the use of these was against softer targets (troops in the open).  We were surely going to (try to) use them up into the '80s if the NORKs invaded South Korea. I guess they've got another way to stop that these days.

They call artillery the King of Battle for a reason.  Getting shelled by the conventional stuff will make you a believer.  Can't imagine a battery of those sending the kind that make mushroom clouds (even if they're small).

Back in the day, Release Authority rested at the O-6 level for non-conventional artillery strikes.  It was still a complicated drill putting that type of ordinance into a tube.  I never thought it could be accomplished should the balloon actually go up, but it was good times and they're all in the past now.

How does @"F2d5thCav"'s signature block read?  Fading anachronism? -chuckle- Aren't we all?

Atomic Cannon crowd pleaser...



Or the W-54 Davy Crocket




The Day Called X (1957) – Dramatized atomic evacuation of Portland, Oregon. (27 min)