Mystery Missile

[Blondie]

Okay, a Trident II missile is not something you can just get your hands on, Anthro. Disregarding that the difficulties from launching it, the safe combination, not to mention the type of security response to get from opening these things... safe to say that this is not a DoD coverup. It definitely is not a trident missile.

I didn't say it fucking was! I said -like- to give people something to google who've never learned about submerged missile launch platforms.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

No, I didn't say sub as in submarine. I didn't say sub at all. I said ballasted launch platform - a launch platform is what the missile fires from, ballasted means it is weighted to float at a specific depth underwater (specific density of water at x depth and the platform being equal).

Perfectly feasible.

Yep, the design of submersible launching tubes was covered in my 3rd grade astrophysics class.

[Blondie]

Whatever.

[Rob]

Occam's razor. Please find it, you are in a need of a shave.

[Blondie]

Occam's razor. Please find it, you are in a need of a shave.

Meh. Occam's razor is so misunderstood.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I don't. I was wondering if you honestly think it was a sub-launched missile being covered up by the military. There's so much wrong with that assessment that I'm not sure where to begin.

Sic 'em, Commander!

[Rob]

Occam's razor. Please find it, you are in a need of a shave.

Meh. Occam's razor is so misunderstood.

Sure it is, substantiate how I am misusing.

[Ian]

No, I didn't say sub as in submarine. I didn't say sub at all. I said ballasted launch platform - a launch platform is what the missile fires from, ballasted means it is weighted to float at a specific depth underwater (specific density of water at x depth and the platform being equal).

Perfectly feasible.

M'kay... so can you explain the point of it?

The military isn't going to do a surprise launch with an unannounced closure area, much less a mere 35 miles west of a major city. Besides having to announce it to air and sea traffic, a surprise launch would scare the living daylights out of the Russians, the Chinese, and others... and they wouldn't stay quiet about it. Have you heard any news of Russia becoming angry at this reckless American launch? While the President is out of the country no less! And why exactly would we even bother if we did? The whole world knows we have the ability to launch long-range missiles from sea-based platforms. We've had that capability for decades. And if it wasn't an SSBN, are you suggesting the Navy developed and built a secret new platform that does the same thing as an SSBN, completely oblivious to the public? Also, have a look at the friggin' smoke trail on that thing. That's no Trident missile or any other sort of ballistic weapon we've developed, not by a longshot.

But, it seems like a military thing at first glance, therefore it must be a cover-up, right?
Surely you've heard the saying "arrogance and ignorance go hand in hand."

[Blondie]

:derp:

[Blondie]

Occam's razor. Please find it, you are in a need of a shave.

Meh. Occam's razor is so misunderstood.

Sure it is, substantiate how I am misusing.

Quid pro quo: Tell me how you think it applies here and I'll tell you how I think you're wrong. I don't know why you think it applies so how can I criticize your application of it?

[Blondie]

I don't. I was wondering if you honestly think it was a sub-launched missile being covered up by the military. There's so much wrong with that assessment that I'm not sure where to begin.

Sic 'em, Commander!

So he's military? Big fucking deal. I work a job which requires federal clearance and the work I do is classified. Appeal to authority fail.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

So he's military? Big fucking deal. I work a job which requires federal clearance and the work I do is classified. Appeal to authority fail.

Actually, he's smarter than you are, and knows more. Other than that, and the fact that you're utter lame, there's not much difference. Except he's NOT full of shit, etc.

[Blondie]

No, I didn't say sub as in submarine. I didn't say sub at all. I said ballasted launch platform - a launch platform is what the missile fires from, ballasted means it is weighted to float at a specific depth underwater (specific density of water at x depth and the platform being equal).

Perfectly feasible.

M'kay... so can you explain the point of it?

Point of what? Such a launch platform?

Are you military or not? Obviously such a platform could be surreptitiously placed anywhere along the coast of any non-landlocked country and put into action against targets, all without the need for specialized submarines and at a minimum cost.

The military isn't going to do a surprise launch with an unannounced closure area, much less a mere 35 miles west of a major city.

Which military? I never suggested it was the USN. In fact, it doesn't even have to be a 'military' op at all.

Besides having to announce it to air and sea traffic, a surprise launch would scare the living daylights out of the Russians, the Chinese, and others... and they wouldn't stay quiet about it.

Assuming it was the USN that launched it.. which I don't.

Have you heard any news of Russia becoming angry at this reckless American launch?

Um.. they wouldn't be able to detect it. Low altitude, short range missiles off the U.S. coast are beyond their equipment capabilities.

While the President is out of the country no less! And why exactly would we even bother if we did?

I never assumed it was the USN. Don't understand your question at all.

The whole world knows we have the ability to launch long-range missiles from sea-based platforms. We've had that capability for decades. And if it wasn't an SSBN, are you suggesting the Navy developed and built a secret new platform that does the same thing as an SSBN, completely oblivious to the public?

If you mean the public would be unaware of such a weapon platform having being developed, or being under development, then it's quite possible. New weapon platforms are developed all the time which are classified - no public knowledge. But to answer your question, no I don't suggest that.

Also, have a look at the friggin' smoke trail on that thing. That's no Trident missile or any other sort of ballistic weapon we've developed, not by a longshot.

Didn't say it was.

But, it seems like a military thing at first glance, therefore it must be a cover-up, right?

Wrong. I never suggested it was a 'military thing' at all, or that it even seemed like one - assuming a 'military thing' means a military operation performed by the USN.

Surely you've heard the saying "arrogance and ignorance go hand in hand."

Look to thine own self.

[Blondie]

So he's military? Big fucking deal. I work a job which requires federal clearance and the work I do is classified. Appeal to authority fail.

Actually, he's smarter than you are, and knows more. Other than that, and the fact that you're utter lame, there's not much difference. Except he's NOT full of shit, etc.

He's smarter than me? How do you know?

You think I'm "lame"? Is this highschool?

He knows a lot more? How do you know?

He's NOT full of shit? How do you know?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

He's smarter than me? How do you know?

Because of the stupid stuff you keep saying. I hoped you'd have noticed that by now.

You think I'm "lame"? Is this highschool?

He knows a lot more? How do you know?

He's NOT full of shit? How do you know?

Simple. I have several clearances and my job is classified. He's been checked out by the people that check me out.