For the record, personal storage media like thumb drives, floppy disks and CD/DVD-ROMS brought from home have been banned on DOD computers for a quite a while. The rule has not been enforced very well, but that is changing.

The most difficult obstacle in this part of the war is changing the culture. 99% of the people using computers in DOD do not understand computer security or view the computer as a weapon system just like a tank or a plane. Systems put in place to protect the network also tend to make things slower and/or less efficient. That means the end user sees computer security as a pain in the ass. Hell, even the tech guys see it as a pain in the ass.

I do not like the M16, but The M4 is a nice version.

A walking man can use the sights on a gun... I had to in training.

The smaller the rifle the higher the accuracy when walking... because it cuts down on the muzzle wobble.

That is why Swat and CQB guys tend to use small weapons.

A good weapon system in use by the Germans the G3 weapon systems.

Bush talks to Jesus directly. Jesus knows where everyone is and what they are thinking. Because he is 'magic'. Jesus talks to Bush directly. As a result, the US military knows anything and everything, and can selectively target and kill Al Qaeda leadership. Because Jesus prefers the USA over all other nations, Bush has a 'red phone' he can use to call the magic-man himself directly. Day or night. Jesus is Bush's main-man. He talks to him. They are close buddies.

Regarding secret technology. Evidence (via witness testimony and bodies of oddly killed individuals in morgues) shows that there is use of new top secret microwave and laser based weapons systems. That is probably not what Woodward is talking about.

I suspect they may have some enhanced way to monitor/track/and locate communications between insurgents on the battlefield with pinpoint accuracy.. very quickly and effectively. Just a guess though.

Then again.. it may simply be Jesus talking to the main man Bush. He likes to materialize as a little dude hovering over his shoulder, and whispers magic words into his ear.

"the pentagon is not stupid."


11 billion
"The F-22 is arguably the Pentagon's most useless weapon system. Not only is it the world's most expensive fighter jet, but it was conceived in 1985 to fight a Soviet fighter jet that was never built. As wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo show, U.S. air superiority is not in doubt." -Think Progress

or

"the $81-billion submarine pushed by Sen. Joseph Lieberman, presumably to fight al-Qaida’s navy." -Truthdig

"Of the 72 programs GAO assessed this year, none of them had proceeded through system development meeting the best-practice standards for mature technologies, stable design, or mature production processes by critical junctures of the program, each of which are essential for achieving planned cost, schedule, and performance outcomes." - GAO report

Or how about...

"the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, a program estimated to be worth $300 billion in sales to its manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, the nation’s biggest defense contractor and most generous donor to lobbyists and politicians’ campaigns. The program to build what Lockheed boasts is “the most complex fighter ever built” is also the most expensive, with estimated acquisition costs having increased a whopping $55 billion in just the last three years.

Lockheed need not worry about future profits, because the procurement schedule on this troubled plane has been stretched out to the year 2034." -Truthdig again

Nah, the Pentagon wouldn't waste money on stupid things would they?

You know all these good weapon systems, we need to spend more time on electronic warfare,its cheaper and much more efficient. Two guys with laptops can reek alot more havoc and in most cases with out physically hurt some one. Unless, its something like a Die Hard 4 Fire Sale.

And A185 - if there was a secondary feed chute on the GAU I doubt it would be aluminum. Rounds travel a LOT faster into that weapon system than into your 25mm gun. Higher speed + friction = more heat.

@Danny - the whole "if you can hear them" thing confuses me, so I wasn't talking about that. I was just saying that if you can hear them, and you are far enough away from the weapon, then yeah your going to see the rounds impact before you hear them. Same thing applies to thunder and lightning.

@Farhad - The ammo switching mechanism adds hardly any weight, just a couple pounds maybe. The weapon system I am referring to uses 2 smaller ammo bins and two feed chutes rather than one large bin and one feed chute... so really the only thing your adding is the aluminum feed chute which weight practically nothing. 2 round selection, same weapon, so the same fail safes. Room is really the only issue you would have, as that aircraft is more than powerful enough to handle a few pounds extra weight. Being able to choose between HE and DU actually adds a significant amount of functionality in the benefit's of what the rounds were designed for. HE is great against troops and wheeled vehicles, while DU is great against armored vehicles. HE is practically worthless against an armored target, while DU is very inefficient against troops and light vehicles.

This is a needless system as mentioned before. Someone up in The US Navy wants a new toy. Someone else needs a military defense contract. Someone else needs to develop his weapons system.

This what I hate about Future Weapons they never really discuss how exactly this new system is better, more efficient or more cost effective then the current solutions offered and fielded.

How exactly is this justified in the current era of fighting asymmetrical warfare in places like Iraq? Resources should be flowing into more efficient bliztkreig type small specialized units, training for Urban combat environments, specialized armor for combat units and so on and so forth.

Yet from my viewpoint the military is just spreading into all fields at once instead of focusing on fighting the wars it will fight tomorrow rather then 50 years from now.

>> ^Doc_M:
^That's because one F-22 could take out 10 migs. lol.
If you think there is an airforce in the world that is even remotely competitive with the US, you are delusional.
Well, Iranian "experts" might agree with you, but that's about it.

well, most of iranian air force is comprised of old pre-1980's F-14's, anyway. but i agree, F-22's electronics and weapons systems are too awesome for any competitor. you have to admire the russian engineering skillz, though

I take issue with the way this video is titled. Explain to me exactly how this is Bush's fault?

Congress sets and approves the military budget. Congress is more interested approving pork barrel construction projects for their districts to get votes than making a meaningful budget.

The Pentagon determines a little bit of leeway in how their slice of the pie gets spent. Each service never gets enough moolah. The needs of the troops in the field must be balanced between improving quality of life or aquiring/maintaining weapons systems.

Base Commanders set and approve construction spending for their base. Often they must beg to get money to improve the conditions on their base, and every base commander is asking for money. These projects are lined up years in advance.

I've lived in dorms as bad or worse than this during my time in the military. New construction takes time and money. In fact, new dorms are currently under construction at the base shown in this video. Think of this as one more sacrifice the military makes to support freedom. If you want to see this changed, write your congressman and stop blaming Bush.

Ugh. Don't ever compare that shitty excuse for a game to a weapon system as awesome as this. Granted, it's not much in the way of innovation, but it's about damnned time we get a bullpup in our arsenal.

MGR the video talks about the AK-47 and the M-16, the M-16 is only there because during the cold war you couldn't be seen picking your enemies weapons. Comparing the M-16A4 and the AK-74 is a whole different matter, I would still pick the AK-74.

As far as I know the M16A4 is in use because army ordance replactments for rifles are not lucrative arms contracts for developers, because the Army needs to equip everyone it always goes to the lowest bidder, that means as an arms developer you would be actually losing money, because ain't no way the army will re-arm everyone with a new more reliable weapons system. However there have been cheaper more efficent systems that were trailed but everyone is so used to the M-16 no one wants to rock the boat. It's actually cheaper for the Army to mod up the M-16 rifles up to spec, then pick a new replacement system.

One I remember off the top of my head is the XM8 - There is a comparative analysis of it here http://stinet.dtic.mil/oai/oai?verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA429392

Weapons should be graded on their effectiveness on the battlefield, not some pre set standardized tests. Looking at both the AK-47 and M-16 on a firing range, one could claim the M-16 is better but its far more reliable to cull from several conflicts where both weapons were used, to reach a conclusion, the most significant would be Vietnam.

As a precison, futuristic, tech reliant rifle the M-16 almost failed in Vietnam, early versions shipped with ammunition that fired dirty in the chamber leading to catastrophic dirt jams, initially they were shipped with no cleaning kits as well, its sensitive mecahnism could easily jam in harsh enviroments, early models also weighted so little that firing control and usage as a close combat blunt weapon was lost.

The AK-47 thrived, its firing power, reliablity, simple training methodology meant that troops spent little time training and cleaning with their weapons and more time shooting at an enemy. In close range a butt smack from an AK-47 can down a person. There is an entire handbook on just how to disassemble the M-16, you can teach a 6 year old how to clean, arm and fire the AK-47 in about 30 minutes.

The AK-47 is built for urban combat and close range engagement, while the M-16 is built as a long range high accuracy stand off weapon. You can run a guerilla war on the AK-47, while the M-16 is reliant on highly trained troops with the weapon system and supplies to keep the weapon functioning. There are still reports on newer M-16A2s failing to fire or jamming in the sandy dunes of Iraq.

The US Army Ordance is really skwed in my preception, there is high concentration on high tech bullshit (robots? network centric warfare?) while still using a weapon design from the late 50s, the M-16A2 and M4 are simple modifications on the M-16 frame, both are standard US infantry weapons and haven't really progressed to a more simpler and more reliable weapon platforms even though alternatives are field tested every goddamn year. The AK on the other hand is progressinng as a weapon design, currently I believe its ireation is the AK-74.

Basically if I had to fight tommorrow, I would go for the AK-47 over the M-16.

i cannot vouch for these books, but I would say there IS information out there pertaining to chemtrails.

__________________________________

Chemtrails Confirmed
by W Thomas
Book Description
Chemtrails are reported all around the planet and this is the first research record to verify what Airline Pilots, Police Officers, U.S. Marines, Air Traffic Controllers and Tanker Crews are reporting. This book will reveal the scientist who are working n the project, Congressman who oversaw "America's exotic weapons" project and the details so you can understand the Chemtrail project

About the Author
William Thomas is an independent journalist. His previous works include Scorched Earth: The Military's War Against the Enviroment and Bringing the War Home, a book which shows the suppression of the inoculations of troops in the first Gulf war and the diseased troops brining home the diseases to their family and friends.

__________________________________

Contrails, Chemtrails & Artificial Clouds
by Dave Dahl

The author, a Navy veteran and former university teacher, carefully explains how these toxic stratospheric clouds absorb and re-emit solar energy, warming the stratosphere; and greenhouse gases introduced by jets into the upper atmosphere cause additional heat to be trapped, preventing its escape into space and ultimately warming the Earth, altering our climate. His presentation is objective, informative and makes excellent use of aerial photography, charts and graphs. This science in chewable bite size paragraphs and bullet points is an outstanding introduction for anyone interested in advocating on behalf of cleaner air and slowing global warming (and that should be all of us). It gives readers an excellent overview, glossary of terms and an extensive listing of web sites that are additional recourses.

__________________________________


“H. R. 2977 of the 107th Congress (1st Session)” introduced by Dennis Kucinich on October 2, 2001 titled, "Space Preservation Act of 2001." In section, "B" of this bill you will find the term, "chemtrails" listed under exotic weapons systems.

"The term `exotic weapons systems' includes weapons designed to damage space or natural ecosystems (such as the ionosphere and upper atmosphere) or climate, weather, and tectonic systems with the purpose of inducing damage or destruction upon a target population or region on earth or in space." (Bill H.R. 2997 of the 107th Congress - Space Preservation Act of 2001)

Additionally, The Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques clearly states that, "each state party undertakes not to engage in military or any other hostile use of environmental modification techniques."

"As used in Article I, the term "environmental modification techniques" refers to any technique for changing -- through the deliberate manipulation of natural processes -- the dynamics, composition or structure of the Earth, including its biota, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere, or of outer space." (Article 2 of The Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques)



__________________________________

What the heck? I just played this game in MAME. This is so insane. I had troubles with the first two levels! It's so hard and confusing when it changes perspective. Heh. Maybe I just suck!

From history.dat:
Oh and from history.dat:

Radiant Silvergun (c) 05/1998 Treasure.

Sometime in the future, scientists have discovered a diamond-shaped alien device deep in space. The mysterious alien device detonates while being probed, starting a chain reaction which destroys the entire planet. Fortunately, there's a group of slap-happy space cadets who are up in orbit who aren't affected by the explosion, but witness it, so they decide to do something about it - which means finding a way to travel back in time to avert the catastrophe before it happens!

Radiant Silvergun is a vertically scrolling shoot-em-up rendered with a superb mix of two and three-dimensional graphics, and is widely considered to be the finest ever game of its type in what is a very crowded genre.

Part of the reason for the game's huge success is in the implementation of its weapons system. Unlike other shoot-em-ups, all of the game's weapons are available to the player from the very beginning. Silvergun's control panel consists of three different fire buttons, each of which activates a different weapon; either 'Vulcan', 'Homing' or 'Spread'. In addition, players can activate four extra weapons using a combination of the three fire buttons. These are :

* A + B = Homing Plasma
* A + C = Backwards Wide Shot
* B + C = Homing Spread
* A + B + C = Radiant Sword

At the start of a game, the player's weapons are very weak, but they can be 'powered-up' by shooting same-coloured enemies (chaining), in a fashion similar to gaining experience for a weapon in a role playing game.

- TECHNICAL -

Sega Titan Video hardware (STV)

Main CPU : (2x) SH-2 (@ 28.6364 Mhz), 68000 (@ 11.45456 Mhz)
Sound Chips : SCSP (@ 11.45456 Mhz)

Screen orientation : Horizontal
Video resolution : 704 x 513 pixels
Screen refresh : 60.00 Hz
Palette colors : 6144

Players : 2
Control : 8-way joystick
Buttons : 3

- TRIVIA -

Toshiba EMI released a limited-edition soundtrack album for this game (Radiant Silvergun Soundtrack + - TYCY-5613) on 07/08/1998. The soundtrack was so popular that it was reprinted by Absord Music Japan (Radiant Silvergun Soundtrack + - ABCA-5043) on 24/03/2004.

- TIPS AND TRICKS -

* Radiant Sivergun's weapons in detail :
1. VULCAN (A button) : a devastating forward firing set of plasma bursts (heavy fire forwards the enemy). This is potentially the best weapon against any enemy, when at full power it can take down even the toughest enemies in a few shots. The only disadvantage is that it's fire is very concentrated and as such you need to move a lot to avoid fire.
2. HOMING (B button) : green homing pulses which target anything that is hovering around you. Even though it is initially weak, at full power it becomes very powerful and requires less movement than the Vulcan.
3. SPREAD (C button) : a wide shot which goes further the longer you hold down the fire button. A little tip; rapidly press the fire button to create a explosion shield around the front of your ship.
4. HOMING PLASMA (A+B buttons) : a double trail of homing lasers which target anything within a 120 degree angle in front of your ship. Moderately powerful, and has a habit of targeting the wrong enemy.
5. TAILGUN (A+C buttons) : a Thunderforce-style tailgun shot which is invaluable in many areas; especially the areas where you get attacked repeatedly from behind.
6. LOCK-ON SPREAD (B+C buttons) : slow moving but powerful shots which target anything in close range. (NOTE - THIS IS THE ONLY WEAPON THAT CAN LOCATE THE SECRET DOGS).
7. RADIANT SWORD (A+B+C buttons) : the game's most powerful weapon. Collecting ten pink bullets with the sword powers up the RSG meter, once full you can use the Hyper Sword and destroy almost everything on the screen.

* Chain bonus : break the same color enemies 3 times without a break.

* Secret bonus : break the enemies with Red -> Blue -> Yellow. If you destroy the enemies with the following pattern, will get 2 Chain Bonuses and 1 Secret Bonus [Red ->Red->Red->Blue->Yellow->Yellow->Yellow]

* Weapon bonus
1) Vulcan : Hit over 200 times without a break.
2) Homing : Hit over 300 times without a break.
3) Spread : Hit 16 times before explosed Spread.
4) Homing Plasma : Hit over 10 seconds against 1 enemy.
5) Back Wide : Hit over 300 times within 2 seconds.
6) Lock on Spread : Hit an explosion over 15 seconds.
7) Radiant Sword : Hit over 5 seconds.

* Secret character Merry Dogs : You can find secret character called 'Merry Dogs' by Lock on Spread. For example : at the starting of 1st Stage, Merry Dogs is hidden in lower-right position on screen.

- SERIES -

1. Radiant Silvergun (1998)
2. Ikaruga (2001)

- STAFF -

Directed/Produced by : Hiroshi Iuchi
Assistant Director : Namie and Merry
Based on Story/Screenplay by : Hiroshi Iuchi
Tyrant Programer : Fukuryu
Zako Enemies Program and Set by : 1998/Nami
Boss Enemies Program by : 2015/Nami
BG, Demo, 5 Bosses, Tool Program : Atsutomo Nakagawa, (133MHz)
Inu Program : Choko Monkey
Object Design : Dad Oginon, Naokiman
Object Design Rookie : E-Suzuki
BG Graphic : Hiroshi Iuchi 11
Character Designed by : Han
Music by : Hitoshi Sakimoto
Sound Effects : S. Murata
Opening, Ending Picture by : Gonzo
English Translation : Haruko Hosaka
Debug Cooperator : Kji, Shirotg, Waka, Kazuhiko Murakami
Debug Dog : Merry
Executive Producer : Masato Maegawa

- PORTS -

* Consoles :
Sega Saturn (1998) : The ONLY machine to receive a home conversion was the Sega Saturn. This is a rare port and usually commands three-figure sums whenever a copy changes hands.

A Sony PlayStation port of this game was planned, but eventually scrapped, as the console did not have enough power to generate the huge amount of sprites the game requires.