We’ve looked at high-resolution imaging sonars in a previous article. They can produce almost photographic-quality images of shipwrecks underwater. (Click the pictures to enlarge them.) Now it seems that airborne radars are evolving along similar lines. The USAF’s Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program, or MP-RTIP has been under development since 2000. So far about $1.2… Continue reading Imaging radar coming of age?
Tag: Military
Another famous ship’s grave discovered
This year has seen a bumper harvest of famous warships rediscovered. We’ve already looked at HMS Hunter and HMAS Sydney in these pages, and seen how modern imaging sonar can reveal hitherto unforeseen details of ships at the bottom of the sea. The latest discoveries are of HMS Exeter, a York-class heavy cruiser: and HMS… Continue reading Another famous ship’s grave discovered
Sonar’s come a long way
I’ve been fascinated to discover the advances in high-resolution imaging sonar that have come along over the past few years. My interest was sparked by the recent discoveries of the wrecks of HMS Hunter in a Norwegian fjord, and HMAS Sydney off Australia. Both were located by sonar, and have been photographed. Having blogged about… Continue reading Sonar’s come a long way
The Dams Raid, 65 years later
Today, May 16th, is the 65th anniversary of the famous ‘Dam Busters’ raid by 617 Squadron of the Royal Air Force on the Moehne, Eder and Sorpe dams in the Ruhr Valley in Germany. The Moehne and Eder dams were breached, and the Sorpe damaged, causing widespread flooding. The damage wasn’t as great as hoped… Continue reading The Dams Raid, 65 years later
One step closer to Heinlein’s “Starship Troopers”
Those of us who know and love the great Robert Heinlein’s science fiction will remember the Mobile Infantry of “Starship Troopers” (not the ghastly movie of a few years ago, which did more to damage the Master’s work than just about any other film adaptation of an SF novel, but the original book, of course).… Continue reading One step closer to Heinlein’s “Starship Troopers”
PCU Independence
Just in from a buddy (thanks, Jack!), these pictures of the Pre-Commissioning Unit Independence, the General Dynamics entry in the US Navy Littoral Combat Ship selection contest. When commissioned, she’ll be the USS Independence. Click each picture for a larger view. Strange-looking beast. I’m still not altogether happy with the whole Littoral Combat Ship idea:… Continue reading PCU Independence
Staff one-liners
I meant to link to this earlier, but it slipped my mind. Still, better late than never! Over at Nobody Asked Me, the author recently published a great list of staff one-liners overheard at meetings. A few examples: “When you get right up to the line that you’re not supposed to cross, the only person… Continue reading Staff one-liners
Militants, mosques and minarets
I heard from a buddy in the sandbox today. He’s with the Marines, and he confirms something I asked him about earlier. He says that very often insurgent snipers will take up position in the minarets and towers of local mosques to shoot at US forces. This is all too often counter-productive (for the sniper,… Continue reading Militants, mosques and minarets