US may use massive new bomb during Iraq campaign

U.S. May Use Massive New Bomb in Iraq —

If the United States goes to war with Iraq, it may debut a huge new conventional bomb. Called the "Massive Ordnance Air Burst" (MOAB) bomb, it is a larger, guided version of the Vietnam-era "Daisy Cutter." Like the Daisy Cutter, the MOAB would be dropped from the back of a C-130 transport aircraft, but unlike its predecessor, the MOAB would not be attached to a parachute and is equipped with a satellite guidance system. It could possibly be used for attacks against underground hardened defense facilities, or massed formations of enemy armor. Sources estimate that the MOAB is a 21,000-pound bomb; the Daisy Cutter is roughly 15,000 pounds.
The MOAB's massive explosive punch, sources say, is similar to a small nuclear weapon.
It is intended to obliterate a command center hidden in tunnels and bunkers or a concentration of Iraqi tanks.
Whatever the target, it must be far from cities where civilians might be hurt. But one important aspect of using this type of weapon, sources say, will be psychological impact on enemy troops. It is intended to terrorize Iraqi troops, drastically reducing their desire to continue the fight.

America's latest war toy

 

"Sources estimate that the MOAB is a 21,000-pound bomb; the Daisy Cutter is roughly 15,000 pounds."

They just used the old Vietnam era "Daisy Cutter" and 5000 pound "Bunker Busters" in Afghanistan. The MOAB has never been used in battle situations.

 

It appears the MOAB may in the hands of some local lawyers intent on blowing up unwanted threads...

 

http://www.strategypage.com/gallery/default.asp?target=moab.htm

Here is a link with some pictures and more info. The military is replacing all of the Daisy Cutter bombs with the MOAB so more than likely we have more than we'll ever need. The fact that this thing must be dropped from a C-130 makes me think that its true purpose is intimidation. For a lumbering C-130 to go in to an area all hostile AA weapons must be destroyed, because a C-130 is a flying barn. There are easier ways to root out enemy forces in underground bunkers than dropping 21,000 pound bombs. Comparing this thing to a nuclear bomb is also far-fetched. One hundred tons of military grade explosives will yield .02 kilotons of explosive power (MOAB is 10.5 tons). The yield of a small fission nuke will produce 10-20 kilotons of power.

 

You should head over to Iraq and tell some more jokes the country would be in ruins.

 

Be glad you were able to visit before the controversy starting brewing:

Utah town of Moab shuns link with new bomb

The tiny town of Moab, Utah, has asked US President George W Bush not to use the acronym MOAB for a new bomb because it could damage the image of the city, best known for outdoor recreation.

"We realise that it is an acronym, but we are still concerned about the effects it may have on our community. Moab relies on tourism both domestic and foreign and has worked for many years and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to create an image that 'Moab' is a destination," a letter from the Grand County Council said.

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