Reply #5: Iranian Nuke? Don't lose any sleep over it. [View All]

[CamanoCal]

Ok, Let's assume that Iran has the ability to enrich enough plutonium to actually accumulate enough material to produce a nuclear weapon. They would have spend billions of (dollars??) on development and... now comes the "testing phase". How will they know it would work? The U.S. has detonated hundereds of the things in an effort at perfecting the detonation sequence and yield. These yahoos are going to get it right the first time?

Next: What about a method of delivery? There is NO such thing as a "suitcase" nuclear weapon. One of the smallest nuclear warheads (by weight and size) is the W-80, the warhead (nuclear package) used on the Alcm II Cruise missle.

Here are it's specs:
W-80 Characteristics
Available Yields (Kt) 5 / 150
Weight 290 lbs
Length 31.4 in
Diameter 11.8 in
Number In Service Mod 0 (SLCM) 350
Mod 1 (ALCM) 1000
Mod 1 (ACM) 400


It's almost one yard long, 12 inches in diameter, and it weighs 290 pounds!
Even California's Governor would find it a bit exausting to lug that thing around in his suitcase.

And, it's a sure bet that the Iranians will NOT be able to duplicate (on their first try) the compact size and weight the U.S. has achieved only after 40+ years of testing and modifying.

I'm not losing any sleep over Iranian nukes.
They could get more bang for their buck by investing in Bio weapons.