Krakek
@krakek.bsky.social
a Quasi-NEET interested in all things military.
Current focus on all things nuclear.
Current focus on all things nuclear.
Reposted by Krakek
1/5
Kara Sea Activity
Caveat: Preliminary findings.
On October 28th, when the Poseidon test was conducted according to Putin, there were 6 unidentified ships off the eastern coast of Novaya Zemlya, Kara Sea.
No NOTAM, no PRIP, but well off the path for any civilian traffic.
Kara Sea Activity
Caveat: Preliminary findings.
On October 28th, when the Poseidon test was conducted according to Putin, there were 6 unidentified ships off the eastern coast of Novaya Zemlya, Kara Sea.
No NOTAM, no PRIP, but well off the path for any civilian traffic.
October 29, 2025 at 3:04 PM
1/5
Kara Sea Activity
Caveat: Preliminary findings.
On October 28th, when the Poseidon test was conducted according to Putin, there were 6 unidentified ships off the eastern coast of Novaya Zemlya, Kara Sea.
No NOTAM, no PRIP, but well off the path for any civilian traffic.
Kara Sea Activity
Caveat: Preliminary findings.
On October 28th, when the Poseidon test was conducted according to Putin, there were 6 unidentified ships off the eastern coast of Novaya Zemlya, Kara Sea.
No NOTAM, no PRIP, but well off the path for any civilian traffic.
Back in the late Soviet era there was work being done on an APS for silos (specifically R-36M2 silos).
This system used "shotguns" with tungsten rods to defeat enemy RVs in lower atmosphere.
It was successfully tested against RVs (Baikonur -> Kamchatka track) in late 80s.
This system used "shotguns" with tungsten rods to defeat enemy RVs in lower atmosphere.
It was successfully tested against RVs (Baikonur -> Kamchatka track) in late 80s.
October 3, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Back in the late Soviet era there was work being done on an APS for silos (specifically R-36M2 silos).
This system used "shotguns" with tungsten rods to defeat enemy RVs in lower atmosphere.
It was successfully tested against RVs (Baikonur -> Kamchatka track) in late 80s.
This system used "shotguns" with tungsten rods to defeat enemy RVs in lower atmosphere.
It was successfully tested against RVs (Baikonur -> Kamchatka track) in late 80s.
Reposted by Krakek
A somewhat confused piece in Politico re US plutonium by
@zcolman.bsky.social. These 25 tonnes of plutonium in pits is the material identified as surplus 30 years ago, no way it "plays a central role in the US nuclear weapons stockpile" (pits are not "highly radioactive" by the way) 1/
@zcolman.bsky.social. These 25 tonnes of plutonium in pits is the material identified as surplus 30 years ago, no way it "plays a central role in the US nuclear weapons stockpile" (pits are not "highly radioactive" by the way) 1/
September 30, 2025 at 12:27 PM
A somewhat confused piece in Politico re US plutonium by
@zcolman.bsky.social. These 25 tonnes of plutonium in pits is the material identified as surplus 30 years ago, no way it "plays a central role in the US nuclear weapons stockpile" (pits are not "highly radioactive" by the way) 1/
@zcolman.bsky.social. These 25 tonnes of plutonium in pits is the material identified as surplus 30 years ago, no way it "plays a central role in the US nuclear weapons stockpile" (pits are not "highly radioactive" by the way) 1/
So, is CENTCOM going to be the first to ever use nuclear armed ICBMs in a real armed conflict?
September 30, 2025 at 8:41 AM
So, is CENTCOM going to be the first to ever use nuclear armed ICBMs in a real armed conflict?
It is amusing how instead of constructively engaging the proponents of the "Putin is in a bunker" narrative have blocked me when I challenged it.
It is what it is 🤷♂️
It is what it is 🤷♂️
September 29, 2025 at 8:51 AM
It is amusing how instead of constructively engaging the proponents of the "Putin is in a bunker" narrative have blocked me when I challenged it.
It is what it is 🤷♂️
It is what it is 🤷♂️
Reposted by Krakek
So, are there any plans and proposals for the new nuclear-tipped penetrators being written in the US? Or will the B61-13 be considered good enough? Or we might see B83-X? Or new fancy payloads for Sentinel and/or Dark Eagle?
#NukeSky
#NukeSky
June 17, 2025 at 10:32 AM
So, are there any plans and proposals for the new nuclear-tipped penetrators being written in the US? Or will the B61-13 be considered good enough? Or we might see B83-X? Or new fancy payloads for Sentinel and/or Dark Eagle?
#NukeSky
#NukeSky
A random thought.
Let’s say that you are a Russian planner, you know that a lot of your SSBNs and TELs are on in base alert in a relatively normal situation.
You know that there is a LoW policy.
So, what is your target set for those RVs in a LoW scenario?
Let’s say that you are a Russian planner, you know that a lot of your SSBNs and TELs are on in base alert in a relatively normal situation.
You know that there is a LoW policy.
So, what is your target set for those RVs in a LoW scenario?
August 8, 2025 at 7:44 PM
A random thought.
Let’s say that you are a Russian planner, you know that a lot of your SSBNs and TELs are on in base alert in a relatively normal situation.
You know that there is a LoW policy.
So, what is your target set for those RVs in a LoW scenario?
Let’s say that you are a Russian planner, you know that a lot of your SSBNs and TELs are on in base alert in a relatively normal situation.
You know that there is a LoW policy.
So, what is your target set for those RVs in a LoW scenario?
Reposted by Krakek
OTD 35 years ago, the United States assembled its last fully new nuclear warhead—a 455-kiloton W88 for the Trident II D5 SLBM—at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas. Since then, several thousand existing warheads and bombs have been significantly refurbished at Pantex, enhancing their capabilities.
July 31, 2025 at 2:43 PM
OTD 35 years ago, the United States assembled its last fully new nuclear warhead—a 455-kiloton W88 for the Trident II D5 SLBM—at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas. Since then, several thousand existing warheads and bombs have been significantly refurbished at Pantex, enhancing their capabilities.
@massiasthanos.bsky.social by the way, do you have any good data on the proposed USAF/SAC B-747 airborne command post, back in the early E-4 days?
July 29, 2025 at 10:32 AM
@massiasthanos.bsky.social by the way, do you have any good data on the proposed USAF/SAC B-747 airborne command post, back in the early E-4 days?
Reposted by Krakek
Uh, the US used 150 THAAD interceptors (out of an inventory of 534) and 80 SM-3s (out of inventory of 400) in the 12 day conflict between Israel and Iran. More of these missiles have been used since the Oct attack in 2023.
July 25, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Uh, the US used 150 THAAD interceptors (out of an inventory of 534) and 80 SM-3s (out of inventory of 400) in the 12 day conflict between Israel and Iran. More of these missiles have been used since the Oct attack in 2023.
Reposted by Krakek
Ignoring the numbers for a sec, theres a high chance that these systems also fired on the same targets two or three times. Integration of US BMD systems has been a long term problem and so far only THAAD and PATRIOT have progressed to a level of "true integration". US-Israel integration also sucks.
July 25, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Ignoring the numbers for a sec, theres a high chance that these systems also fired on the same targets two or three times. Integration of US BMD systems has been a long term problem and so far only THAAD and PATRIOT have progressed to a level of "true integration". US-Israel integration also sucks.
Reposted by Krakek
Knyaz Pozharsky, a submarine of the Borey-A/Project 955A class transferred to Russian navy russianforces.org/blog/2025/07... There was a delay, presumably to conduct a Bulava launch, which is normally part of the state acceptance trials. But it appears that the launch didn't happen.
russianforces.org
July 25, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Knyaz Pozharsky, a submarine of the Borey-A/Project 955A class transferred to Russian navy russianforces.org/blog/2025/07... There was a delay, presumably to conduct a Bulava launch, which is normally part of the state acceptance trials. But it appears that the launch didn't happen.
So how would Soviet nuclear forces operate in the 1980s (say 1987)?
1/13
1/13
July 25, 2025 at 8:38 AM
So how would Soviet nuclear forces operate in the 1980s (say 1987)?
1/13
1/13
Reposted by Krakek
OTD 35 yrs ago, the last continuous “Looking Glass” flight took off from Strategic Air Command HQ at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. For more than 29 years—starting on February 3, 1961—at least one EC-135 airborne command post was kept aloft, ensuring the ability to fight a nuclear war if SAC were destroyed.
July 24, 2025 at 1:39 PM
OTD 35 yrs ago, the last continuous “Looking Glass” flight took off from Strategic Air Command HQ at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. For more than 29 years—starting on February 3, 1961—at least one EC-135 airborne command post was kept aloft, ensuring the ability to fight a nuclear war if SAC were destroyed.
Old ideas that are popular again :)
July 24, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Old ideas that are popular again :)
Reposted by Krakek
In other FOIA news... in 2012 I filed a FOIA request with NNSA for reports relating to their work on the GNOMON, a gigaton-range weapon concept from the 1950s. In 2015, they gave me a response where they redacted everything, including the names of the report authors, on the grounds of "privacy."
July 23, 2025 at 4:01 PM
In other FOIA news... in 2012 I filed a FOIA request with NNSA for reports relating to their work on the GNOMON, a gigaton-range weapon concept from the 1950s. In 2015, they gave me a response where they redacted everything, including the names of the report authors, on the grounds of "privacy."
Reposted by Krakek
🧵 The GWEN (Ground Wave Emergency Network) used a series of low frequency (150-175 kHz), EMP-hardened, unmanned radio relay stations located across the US.
The GWEN program was cancelled in the mid-1990s before reaching its intended final operational capability.
📷 calhoun.nps.edu/server/api/c...
The GWEN program was cancelled in the mid-1990s before reaching its intended final operational capability.
📷 calhoun.nps.edu/server/api/c...
July 23, 2025 at 9:24 AM
🧵 The GWEN (Ground Wave Emergency Network) used a series of low frequency (150-175 kHz), EMP-hardened, unmanned radio relay stations located across the US.
The GWEN program was cancelled in the mid-1990s before reaching its intended final operational capability.
📷 calhoun.nps.edu/server/api/c...
The GWEN program was cancelled in the mid-1990s before reaching its intended final operational capability.
📷 calhoun.nps.edu/server/api/c...
Reposted by Krakek
Boeing E-4B AACP (Advanced Airborne Command Post). Serves as the NEACP (National Emergency Airborne Command Post) of Operation "Nightwatch".
The NEACP is now called the NAOC (National Airborne Operations Center). Equipment shown is not current.
📷 calhoun.nps.edu/server/api/c...
The NEACP is now called the NAOC (National Airborne Operations Center). Equipment shown is not current.
📷 calhoun.nps.edu/server/api/c...
July 23, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Boeing E-4B AACP (Advanced Airborne Command Post). Serves as the NEACP (National Emergency Airborne Command Post) of Operation "Nightwatch".
The NEACP is now called the NAOC (National Airborne Operations Center). Equipment shown is not current.
📷 calhoun.nps.edu/server/api/c...
The NEACP is now called the NAOC (National Airborne Operations Center). Equipment shown is not current.
📷 calhoun.nps.edu/server/api/c...
Reposted by Krakek
Interesting test. "To assess how LLMs from OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, Mistral and xAI compare today, we ran 500 geolocation tests, with 20 models each analysing the same set of 25 images." www.bellingcat.com/resources/ho...
Have LLMs Finally Mastered Geolocation? - bellingcat
We tasked LLMs from OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, Mistral and xAI to geolocate our unpublished holiday snaps. Here's how they did.
www.bellingcat.com
July 22, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Interesting test. "To assess how LLMs from OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, Mistral and xAI compare today, we ran 500 geolocation tests, with 20 models each analysing the same set of 25 images." www.bellingcat.com/resources/ho...
One of the more common concerns during the cold war regarding the US NC3 equipment would seem to be it's reliance on it's elements on external power supplies, particularly in communications infrastructure, with leased civilian lines.
July 22, 2025 at 8:40 AM
One of the more common concerns during the cold war regarding the US NC3 equipment would seem to be it's reliance on it's elements on external power supplies, particularly in communications infrastructure, with leased civilian lines.
This is more or less the vibes I am getting from my current research on the US and Soviet NC3 history.
It is quite sad that US did not pursue DUCC/DUSC (or SCCs).
It is quite sad that US did not pursue DUCC/DUSC (or SCCs).
July 21, 2025 at 10:44 AM
This is more or less the vibes I am getting from my current research on the US and Soviet NC3 history.
It is quite sad that US did not pursue DUCC/DUSC (or SCCs).
It is quite sad that US did not pursue DUCC/DUSC (or SCCs).
A historic question.
I have seen a claim made that SAC HQ had a near real-time data on the status of it's forces.
Yet in other places (ie description of REACT) it appears that the automated C3 interface was receive only.
Was the polling done manually, ie over phone?
I have seen a claim made that SAC HQ had a near real-time data on the status of it's forces.
Yet in other places (ie description of REACT) it appears that the automated C3 interface was receive only.
Was the polling done manually, ie over phone?
July 15, 2025 at 11:08 AM
A historic question.
I have seen a claim made that SAC HQ had a near real-time data on the status of it's forces.
Yet in other places (ie description of REACT) it appears that the automated C3 interface was receive only.
Was the polling done manually, ie over phone?
I have seen a claim made that SAC HQ had a near real-time data on the status of it's forces.
Yet in other places (ie description of REACT) it appears that the automated C3 interface was receive only.
Was the polling done manually, ie over phone?
Did you know that until 2009 there was a treaty between Russia and Ukraine, one of the terms of which was that Russia would provide early warning system data to Ukraine?
June 25, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Did you know that until 2009 there was a treaty between Russia and Ukraine, one of the terms of which was that Russia would provide early warning system data to Ukraine?
To do a palette cleanser from all the Iranian content...
Here is some activity at the well known COG/COOP sites!
Starting with Site-R (aka "Raven Rock"), northern part (2020-2024), a possible new portal (ie expanding ventilation for generators/aircon)
1/6
Here is some activity at the well known COG/COOP sites!
Starting with Site-R (aka "Raven Rock"), northern part (2020-2024), a possible new portal (ie expanding ventilation for generators/aircon)
1/6
June 23, 2025 at 9:00 AM
To do a palette cleanser from all the Iranian content...
Here is some activity at the well known COG/COOP sites!
Starting with Site-R (aka "Raven Rock"), northern part (2020-2024), a possible new portal (ie expanding ventilation for generators/aircon)
1/6
Here is some activity at the well known COG/COOP sites!
Starting with Site-R (aka "Raven Rock"), northern part (2020-2024), a possible new portal (ie expanding ventilation for generators/aircon)
1/6