Usa begins firing tomahawk missiles at Libya

Page 7 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

LegendKiller

Lifer
Mar 5, 2001
18,256
68
86
I myself find Afghanistan very confusing. Instead of investing full force in a modern democracy there with the help of Russia. People are left to rot.

For examples, some half form of education to create an police force which seems to become more corrupt each day.
The continued allowing of afghan farmers growing poppy( for Opium, Morphine and heroine). The heroine is like an infestation in Russia.
Even Iran is fighting hard against opium smuggle at their borders.
For some reason i would expect more action and cooperation.
What is the deal with Afghanistan ? For as far as i can remember, the taliban was rising in strength again. I assume the passive attitude towards Afghanistan has something to do with the political environment in Pakistan but i am just guessing here. Does any body have more up to date information ?

Not sure about international cooperation. The issue with Afghanistan is Pakistan and inside that the tribal regions aiding the Taliban and AQ. Inside of Afghanistan itself the Taliban seem to be fracturing, from current reports.
 

Minjin

Platinum Member
Jan 18, 2003
2,208
1
81
It is the software. If you know the speed of the missile and the target distance you can plot the course before launch , upload that to the on board memory and launch. The missile can then make course corrections based on time and distance. The reason some of these cannot change programming once launched is that the parts used to store the path data is OTP or one time programmable. Missiles have to use radiation hardened parts and at the time there wasn't EEPROM with enough capacity that fit that criteria.

The guidance control is a gyroscopic device, you can even buy one similar to the tomahawks here for $16.95 , a discount of about $11k :)
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G17270
http://www.etotheipiplusone.net/?p=428
The term you are looking for is INS, though it isn't as simplistic as you make it sound.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inertial_navigation_system
 

Modelworks

Lifer
Feb 22, 2007
16,240
7
76
Not sure about international cooperation. The issue with Afghanistan is Pakistan and inside that the tribal regions aiding the Taliban and AQ. Inside of Afghanistan itself the Taliban seem to be fracturing, from current reports.

The other problem is that a good part of the population do not recognize Afghanistan as a country. The tribes recognize their own parts and villages but do not see that as being part of a larger country as a whole. Frontline carried a map around during a documentary and the majority of locals could not tell where Afghanistan was or where the borders were.
 

LegendKiller

Lifer
Mar 5, 2001
18,256
68
86
The other problem is that a good part of the population do not recognize Afghanistan as a country. The tribes recognize their own parts and villages but do not see that as being part of a larger country as a whole. Frontline carried a map around during a documentary and the majority of locals could not tell where Afghanistan was or where the borders were.

I didn't realize that but it would seem to be a very important perspective. What, exactly, are we fighting for then? It's certainly not Afghanistan as a country but is it US' security? How do you resolve the conflict then? No stable "nation" can exist in such a vacuum unless there's a population shift towards a central government, which wouldn't seem likely.
 
May 11, 2008
20,202
1,149
126
I didn't realize that but it would seem to be a very important perspective. What, exactly, are we fighting for then? It's certainly not Afghanistan as a country but is it US' security? How do you resolve the conflict then? No stable "nation" can exist in such a vacuum unless there's a population shift towards a central government, which wouldn't seem likely.

Maybe a good place for stubborn and determined Jewish colonists ?
Instead of the entire country only a small portion of Afghanistan.
And enough space for the Palestinians as well. There should be some geological riches to be found in Afghanistan... :).

I do think Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would become extremely angry tho..
 
Feb 19, 2001
20,155
23
81
WTF are you talking about? Is Taiwan US soil? Do the citizens of Taiwan pay US taxes? NO. Who cares if they get invaded? You talk about ramifications, there are no fucking ramifications. Until China sends planes attacking motherfucking pearl harbor, we shouldn't be firing tomahawk missiles at anyone.

the thing is Taiwan is no Libya. Taiwan represents a fortress holding out against China and the US uses Taiwan as a singe point of annoyance against China. The arms sales only pisses China off but at the same time it tells China that we're here to back Taiwan up. Also this is basically the point of engagement between two superpowers. I don't think the US will back down that easily against a rising China and let it flex its military might unchecked.

The reason the US will back up Taiwan is not the same why we're firing missiles at Libya. You can bet if there was anything remotely close to a military buildup against Taiwan the whole US 7th Fleet would be deployed pretty quickly. We have a far higher interest to protect a nation that houses every motherboard manufacturer and a chunk of semiconductor fabs. I'm also sure a good chunk of Asia and the world will have some pretty harsh words against China too.
 
Last edited:

Schadenfroh

Elite Member
Mar 8, 2003
38,416
4
0
It has started:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/20/us-libya-idUSTRE7270JP20110320
their day-old intervention hit a serious diplomatic setback as the Arab League chief condemned the "bombardment of civilians."
...
Sixty-four people were killed in the Western bombardment overnight, a Libyan government health official said
...
"What is happening in Libya differs from the aim of imposing a no-fly zone, and what we want is the protection of civilians and not the bombardment of more civilians," Egypt's official state news agency quoted Moussa as saying.
Civilians (supposedly) die at the hands of foreigners, The Colonel will show pictures of dead women and children to the world (which were likely killed by his mercs) and more Libyans and many Arab states will rally behind The Colonel, they will hate us even more.

Now The Colonel will be able to say that all of the civilians he has slaughtered (and will slaughter) died at the hands of Western warplanes.
 

Hacp

Lifer
Jun 8, 2005
13,923
2
81
the thing is Taiwan is no Libya. Taiwan represents a fortress holding out against China and the US uses Taiwan as a singe point of annoyance against China. The arms sales only pisses China off but at the same time it tells China that we're here to back Taiwan up. Also this is basically the point of engagement between two superpowers. I don't think the US will back down that easily against a rising China and let it flex its military might unchecked.

The reason the US will back up Taiwan is not the same why we're firing missiles at Libya. You can bet if there was anything remotely close to a military buildup against Taiwan the whole US 7th Fleet would be deployed pretty quickly. We have a far higher interest to protect a nation that houses every motherboard manufacturer and a chunk of semiconductor fabs. I'm also sure a good chunk of Asia and the world will have some pretty harsh words against China too.

Who the hell cares? Lets import those factories back to the USofA. Let Taiwan defend itself. Or start taxing Taiwanese citizens.
 

Herr Kutz

Platinum Member
Jun 14, 2009
2,545
242
106
The ME will like the US and the EU again ?
I suspect this is slowly going to continue. Every dictator that was supported will be removed slowly until democracy also rules in the ME. I would not be surprised that the ME has a very large potential customer base. But at current situations is difficult to enter. When there is democracy, peace and the mentality(read hope for a better future) to work and improve...

Translation: The ME will be great place to send more US jobs.

I'm sick of hearing about "potential customer base" when all that ever leads to is sending more US jobs overseas.
 

shangshang

Senior member
May 17, 2008
830
0
0
Listen up neocunts: W. Bush were too much of a pussy to take out Mr Q. Obamanation will bring the pride back home. But this time we're going it with our EU friends.

LOL. Haters.
 
May 11, 2008
20,202
1,149
126
Translation: The ME will be great place to send more US jobs.

I'm sick of hearing about "potential customer base" when all that ever leads to is sending more US jobs overseas.

I have not up to date information, but what i know is that a few years ago certain top individuals of certain companies(at least in the EU) realized that it is not cheaper at all.
The language barrier is the primary problem. The logistics and administration is the secondary problem. Thus work that benefits from doing it within borders or in neigbouring countries will be executed at home soil or at the neighbors. What does seem to happen is that overseas startups that seem promising get fat contracts. The labor is usually cheaper because of the lack of safety rules and environment regulation. Thus it is amusing to witness that the same politicians who advocate an CO2 limit do not have any problem with companies who use cheap labor because of lack of environmental and safety regulations. And when politicians do become difficult the WTO is used to prevent any action. This has been done before by some US politicians against certain EU regulations. Because in the EU some environment and safety regulations are much more strict when compared to the US. Karma is a bitch...
 

Patranus

Diamond Member
Apr 15, 2007
9,280
0
0
Listen up neocunts: W. Bush were too much of a pussy to take out Mr Q. Obamanation will bring the pride back home. But this time we're going it with our EU friends.

LOL. Haters.

We went at "it" with our "EU friends" in Iraq and Afghanistan also.
The problem is the rest of the world doesn't have a military so it is left to the United States to clear up the mess.

Just look at Japan. They wanted the US military bases out of Japan and what is the first thing they do? Beg for help from the United States Military after the earthquake.

The world wants it both ways and that isn't how it works.
 

boomerang

Lifer
Jun 19, 2000
18,883
641
126
It has started:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/20/us-libya-idUSTRE7270JP20110320

Civilians (supposedly) die at the hands of foreigners, The Colonel will show pictures of dead women and children to the world (which were likely killed by his mercs) and more Libyans and many Arab states will rally behind The Colonel, they will hate us even more.

Now The Colonel will be able to say that all of the civilians he has slaughtered (and will slaughter) died at the hands of Western warplanes.
And the Arab nations that are secretly for the overthrow of GoneDaffy will publicly decry the actions as well. Between Obama and this typical bullshit, I can understand why Hillary wants out. Between a rock and a hard place 24/7/365.
 
May 11, 2008
20,202
1,149
126
And the Arab nations that are secretly for the overthrow of GoneDaffy will publicly decry the actions as well. Between Obama and this typical bullshit, I can understand why Hillary wants out. Between a rock and a hard place 24/7/365.

Yes, funny is it not ?
I sometimes have the idea that this is the situation in the ME :
Those easy richers like their thrones and will say anything to keep it that way. Sounds like the catholic church and other Christian movements about 2 to 3 centuries and further ago. Yet the western world man and woman and child are depicted as the evil. It is funny that they ask the western politicians for help. And when it doesn't happen fast enough they start to throw money at it to buy the love of the native people.
 

Schadenfroh

Elite Member
Mar 8, 2003
38,416
4
0
Listen up neocunts: W. Bush were too much of a pussy to take out Mr Q. Obamanation will bring the pride back home. But this time we're going it with our EU friends.

LOL. Haters.

Afghanistan was a NATO operation, which is a North American / European military alliance.

Iraq had less support from NATO countries, but a few familiar faces were there, like Great Britain, Spain, Italy, etc.

Not trying to defend attacking Iraq or Afghanistan, as I am against intervention in both countries, especially Iraq.
 

Herr Kutz

Platinum Member
Jun 14, 2009
2,545
242
106
Listen up neocunts: W. Bush were too much of a pussy to take out Mr Q. Obamanation will bring the pride back home. But this time we're going it with our EU friends.

LOL. Haters.

We had quite a list of friends go to Iraq with us too. Go check out a list of these countries. Chances are you will find quite a few more than you expect.
 

Doppel

Lifer
Feb 5, 2011
13,306
3
0
It has started:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/20/us-libya-idUSTRE7270JP20110320

Civilians (supposedly) die at the hands of foreigners, The Colonel will show pictures of dead women and children to the world (which were likely killed by his mercs) and more Libyans and many Arab states will rally behind The Colonel, they will hate us even more.

Now The Colonel will be able to say that all of the civilians he has slaughtered (and will slaughter) died at the hands of Western warplanes.
It's really as if the Arab League just wanted the West to look bad. For weeks they've said a no-fly REQUIRES unequivocally attacking ground targets and taking out air defense. And this ALWAYS has civilian casualties. Now with the West following the guidelines of the UN resolution the arab league condemns? You can't win with these people.

Qatar's jets are on the way though, there are others in the region in support nonetheless.
 

Wordplay

Golden Member
Jun 28, 2010
1,318
1
81
Just got word that my brother in law will be on his way to Libya by the end of the week.
 

blackangst1

Lifer
Feb 23, 2005
22,902
2,359
126
I didnt want to start a new thread about this, but one month into the bombings, and France/NATO are running out of munitions. As much as people dont like war per se, a strong military is key to a country's sovereignty and power in the world. Even as we move to more and more diplomatic solutions (or try to anyway) a country's war machine is still crucial. I suspect the US will be asked very soon to take the lead if only because we have the hardware to do it.

When France/NATO run out, we're just reloading.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...ons-in-libya/2011/04/15/AF3O7ElD_story_1.html

NATO runs short on some munitions in Libya


Less than a month into the Libyan conflict, NATO is running short of precision bombs, highlighting the limitations of Britain, France and other European countries in sustaining even a relatively small military action over an extended period of time, according to senior NATO and U.S. officials.

The shortage of European munitions, along with the limited number of aircraft available, has raised doubts among some officials about whether the United States can continue to avoid returning to the air campaign if Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi hangs on to power for several more months.

Concerns that supplies of jet-launched precision bombs are growing short in Europe have reignited long-standing controversies over both burden-sharing and compatibility within NATO. While allied jets have largely followed the U.S. lead and converted to precision munitions over the last decade, they have struggled to keep pace, according to senior U.S. military officials.

Libya “has not been a very big war. If [the Europeans] would run out of these munitions this early in such a small operation, you have to wonder what kind of war they were planning on fighting,” said John Pike, director of GlobalSecurity.org, a defense think tank. “Maybe they were just planning on using their air force for air shows.”
 

Londo_Jowo

Lifer
Jan 31, 2010
17,303
158
106
londojowo.hypermart.net
I didnt want to start a new thread about this, but one month into the bombings, and France/NATO are running out of munitions. As much as people dont like war per se, a strong military is key to a country's sovereignty and power in the world. Even as we move to more and more diplomatic solutions (or try to anyway) a country's war machine is still crucial. I suspect the US will be asked very soon to take the lead if only because we have the hardware to do it.

When France/NATO run out, we're just reloading.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...ons-in-libya/2011/04/15/AF3O7ElD_story_1.html

What a fuckin joke!! I'm so glad that the US has not bent to the will of those who think we need to more like the European countries when it comes to military preparedness.