NationStates Jolt Archive

OMASC Introduces BLU-201A/B 'Superbomb'

Weight: 25,600kg (56,438lb) for A, 23,800kg (52,470lb) for B
Length: 12.7m (A), 14.5m (B)
Diameter: 1.6m (A), 1.71 (B)
Range: ~20-40km when dropped from 50,000-60,000ft altitude at high subsonic-low supersonic speed; range increases with altitude and release speed
Guidance: Inertial w/ GPS, IR optional at terminal
Explosive/Structure: 7,200kg explosive charge (likely ONC) with hardened osmium-cobalt alloy case and a penetrating tungsten head (A); 15,600kg explosive charge with hardened case along with a penetrating tungsten head
Carrier Aircraft: B-101D (2), B-105A (2; 3 with modification), B-108A (3 without modification)
Cost: ~$500,000 - $800,000 (Approved Allies; No Exceptions)

Designed by OMASC as a part of a grand project preparing for the next bomber (termed B-110 'Archwind'), the BLU-201A/B is designed as a fearsome complement for the BLU-200 ultra-heavy penetrator bomb. A stupendously gigantic bomb designed for multiple purposes, it is truly a successor for the 'earthquake bombs' of past conflicts, and is designed solely for operation on OMASC-designed heavy bombers. Capable of penetrating huge bunkers, defeating large dams, or other fortificated structures such as gun batteries, the bomb can also serve secondary roles such as strikes against ultralarge targets (for example, large ships) and even achieving psychological impact against the enemy.

Constructed with a huge penetrating casing along with a gigantic explosive charge, the bomb is truly the hallmark of Omzian ordnance engineering. With GPS guidance and glide kits, it can be used effectively as a semi-standoff weapon against enemy targets in times of war, and is capable of supersonic release at very high altitudes from supersonic bomber platforms as well. Since the separation structures between the bomb bays in Omzian bombers are designed to be removed if necessary, the bombs are designed to be carried in the bomb bay of large OMASC-designed bombers (the B-101D, the B-10A, and the B-108A) on special internal carriage racks, thus prohibiting the carriage of other weaponry in the same bay(s). Once released at high altitude, a pair of large glide wings can be optionally deployed to increase the range, while the bomb is guided by an INS/jam-resistant GPS guidance suite. The bomb can be 'guided on the move' from the 'mother' bomber through a datalink which feeds a constant stream of targeting coordinates as the bomb glides towards its target (which is of utility when attacking a ship), or alternatively, the bomb can guide itself on its own with its own guidance. When attacking some targets, an IR seeker is also utilized at the terminal phase in conjunction with INS and/or GPS. The bomb is also equipped with a configurable variable setting fuse, which allows much flexibility and can be delayed to allow greater penetration performance.

There are two variants of the bomb: BLU-201A and BLU-201B. The A version is a true bunkerbuster with great penetration capabilities, while the B version contains a greater explosive charge to attack special targets in some roles. Because of different minor design features, the dimensions of the A and B versions are fairly different while the basic design schemes and glide characteristics are similar, allowing flexibility in the employment of the bombs.

Greetings,

While we are a growing nation, and do have limited capabilities in terms of funding an air force, we are interested in purchasing a small supply of these bombs, for storage until we can grow to use them one day, perhaps in conquest to expand Haven. It is my understanding credit checks are needed for some purchases. We are interested in purchasing 8 of the BLU-201A, and can transfer payment upon confirmation of the order.

Thank you for your consideration

The Office of the Emperor

As a trustable neighbour and a new ally of the Omzian Republic, both the Omzian Ministry of National Defence and OMASC gladly accepts this proposal of our esteemed ally with both anticipation and gratefulness despite with a sense of caution. Though this is a new weapon system and we are rather apprehensive about widely distributing the system itself (or its actual design), and though additional opposition within the government still exists about the prospect of such sale, we are cautiously willing to export the system at a cost of $800,000 each. With additional costs and reductions, we are requesting a total of $6.8 million dollars to be made available to OMASC in order to complete the contract.

However, we must note that this weapon system can only be carried by OMASC bombers without significant modification, and any employment on other heavy bomber will require modifications under the assistance of Omzian engineers, provided that the bomber has a payload capacity and the physical space to accept such bomb.

We will take 20. Our Bear bomber fleet is aging, and we strive to find a purpose for them. This will fill that gap.

Money wired upon completion, 10 million dollars.

We will take 20. Our Bear bomber fleet is aging, and we strive to find a purpose for them. This will fill that gap.

Money wired upon completion, 10 million dollars.
With virtually no relations with your nation, and with the knowledge of the Tu-95 series of turboprop-propelled bombers does not have the payload capacity nor the physical space to carry such weapon, we must regrettfully announce that we have no choice but to put your proposal on hold from approval until a time where The Velkyan Union has established a strong relation with the Omzian Republic and has the capabilities to handle such weapon systems. As we would like to express our fullest of our apologies, we must also express - for those who has no previously dealed with the OMASC - our policy of 'no sale until relation is established'.

Our regrets.
OMASC Sales Control Board
Omzian Ministry of National Defence, Weapon Procurement Department

OOC: Sorry, I probably should have added the tag, even though the original post has no exact price and no strong and clear indication of a sale. This is more of an announcement thread for allies and for those who has comments, ideas, and criticisms.

Who said anything about Tu-95s?

We understand this sentiment, and you can cancel the order.

Who said anything about Tu-95s?
OOC: Well, with the fact that people does commonly address the Tu-95 by its NATO reporting name, the 'Bear', there was a natural suspicion of course. But understood.

Axis Nova is quite interested in this weapon-- payload will not really be an issue for us as the majority of our airships have more than enough lifting power to support many of this weapon if neccesary. Are production rights available?

Axis Nova is quite interested in this weapon-- payload will not really be an issue for us as the majority of our airships have more than enough lifting power to support many of this weapon if neccesary. Are production rights available?
OOC: Well, usually I don't do (well... rather voluntarily avoid) IC contact with full-PMT nations for various reasons, but since I'm not the stubborn type of person... /OOC

Though we are quite informed about Axis Nova's position on the international stage, and though we are aware of the past involvements in various military conflicts by Axis Nova, we must remind all parties that due to the nature of such weapon, the BLU-201 series of systems is only available for allies that has an established relationship with the Omzian Republic. Not only has such policies been applied in the past very frequently by the OMASC, but it is also our long-standing governmental policy of preventing weapons of devastating potential from potentially falling into the hands of those who will threaten the national security of Omzian allies or even Omz itself. Thus, as much as we are thankful for Axis Nova's apparant interest, we are afraid that we must apologize in that we can only strongly consider such possibility (of providing production licenses to the BLU-201 to a non-ally) when a strong relationship is established between our two nations, though in some circumstances technology exchanges are likely (in which the technology must gain the interest of the Omzian armed forces, and that it has been determined that the importing nation is credible enough).

BLU-202A 'Megabomb'

Weight: 80,500kg (177,472lb)
Length: 20.5m
Diameter: 2.4m
Range: ~10-20km when dropped from 50,000-60,000ft altitude at high subsonic-low supersonic speed; range increases with altitude and release speed
Guidance: Inertial w/ GPS, IR optional at terminal
Explosive/Structure: 21,500kg explosive charge (likely ONC) with hardened osmium-cobalt alloy case and a penetrating tungsten head
Carrier Aircraft: B-105A (1 with modification), B-108A (1 with modification)
Cost: ~$800,000 - $1,000,000
Export: To Approved Allies Only; No Exceptions

One of the largest conventional bombs ever developed by OMASC, the BLU-202A is truly the pinnacle of the design of ordnance systems. Developed for the B-105A and the B-108A, it is designed to be carried aboard these two bombers with modification, and extensive sets of ground equipment are also required in order to successfully put the bombs into place. Though this unit is based on the BLU-201A, it does include several modifications as well, including the deletion of the glide wings in order to improve terminal penetration performance against ultralarge targets like bunkers and gun batteries, though this does decrease release range even at high altitudes. The guidance system is similar however though the 'guidance-on-the-move' and moving object-targeting capabilities are decreased for various reasons, making the bomb sutied for large ground targets that even the BLU-201 has difficulty of defeating. During testing in the Northern Gunnery Range, with its hard penetrative case and the colossal explosive charge, the bomb was able to successfully 'defeat unspecified targets simulating large underground bunkers'.

Perhaps you might be interested in a radar system that more or less renders radar stealth useless?

Perhaps you might be interested in a radar system that more or less renders radar stealth useless?
OOC: TG me if you want, and I'll look it over.

The Federal Republic of Bonstock Department of Energy requests to be able to purchase two BLU-202A and two BLU-201A bombs. Although Bonstock is not particularly a close ally of Omz222, we promise that these bombs will not be put to military use. We only want to find practical civilian applications for these weapons, and will pay handsomely for them, at least five billion for two units and more if so desired by the Omzian government.

With regards,

The Bonstocknian Department of Energy

We are most surprised but confused by the requests from the Federal Republic of Bonstock, and even though relations between the Omzian Republic and the Federal Republic of Bonstock are not too poorly established, unfamiliarity will still prove to be an obstacle for the Omzian government to approve the sale of such military weapon systems. However, we are also impressed by the generous offer of funds, but before we can approve such sale we must demand a clear explanation for the reasons of using the BLU-201A for civilian applications, and how it will be used.

At the same time, we also must once regrettfully express our strict export policies in regards to the export of weapon systems (As reflected many times in the past), and thus, unless a very generous offer is presented to us, OMASC alone would be extremely hesitant to export the BLU-202A system to the civilian authorities of Bonstock.

The Bonstocknian Department of Energy's analysis of the bomb concludes that perhaps scaled down versions would be quite useful in such fields as demolitions and in tunnel construction, uses similar to existing demolition charges like C4 and TNT. We are not certain of its use, which is why we are ordering such small amounts that would probably be disassembled, reassembled, and tested for different possible applications. Unless this bomb is, in fact, just a scaled-up version of existing bombs, in which case there would be no need for us to do so. We are willing to up our price offer to 10 million dollars for the four bombs we requested.

Bonstocknian Department of Energy

Though we are indeed gratified and thankful of the special interest put up by our Bonstocknian friends and counterparts, we are still confused with the usage of such weapon system in the role of clearing land for civil engineering projects, as the BLU-201 and BLU-202 series of weapon systems are designed to defeat hardened military targets and large civilian structures of strategic importance by the means of total destruction, and thus would be ill-suited for such demolition duties. Alternatively, for the task of civil construction and demolition, alternative commercially-available solutions can be employed; however, if an offer is given, we will consider the possible sale of the B variant of the BLU-201 (as part of a rare exception) under the condition that a) they will be not employed for any use outside of the intended purpose; b) that their ownership may not be transfered to anyone except the Bonstocknian Department of Energy without the express consent from OMASC, the Omzian government, and the Omzian Ministry of National Defence; and c) they may not be disassembled for any purpose. Further, for civilian use, guidance and maneuver systems will be stripped down to an INS/GPS guidance kit with a tailkit for trajectory correcion; and the fuse will be changed for the intended purpose in civil engineering.

As well, since this deal may possibly evolve into a special exception where the unit would be used for civilian purposes, we are willing to dispatch a team of engineers from the Omzian Army Engineer Corps as well to witness the effective of such system as an ad-hoc tool for civil construction.

The Federal Republic would be willing to accept two of the B variants of the BLU-201 series bombs for a price of 2 million USD, if that would be acceptable. Of course, we would accept the bombs being stripped down of all electronics and guidance systems, noting that for the intended tests those systems would not be necessary. The bombs, or rather demolition charges, would probably be tested mostly to find how well it could clear earth for tunnels, alongside other, Bonstocknian-made charges, mostly to see for effectiveness. Though the Bonstocknian Department of Energy would like to disassemble the models, if it is requested that that not happen then the Bonstocknian Department of Energy will not in any way disassemble the units. Of course, since this is a completely de-classified civilian effort, Omzian engineers are welcome to attend.

We are indeed satisfied with the completion of this very special deal, and is optimistic about the benefits that it will bring to not only OMASC, but also the civil engineers of the Omzian and Bonstocknian authorities as well. Upon the transfer of $2.6 million dollars (including shipping fees and other charges), the demilitarized and deweaponized systems will arrive via military cargo aircraft along with a contigent of Omzian Army Engineers as well, whom are already anticipating the trip with both curiousity and eagerness.

The Federal Republic will of course pay the 2.6 million required for the purchase of the two bombs. As soon as the units arrive, testing will start at the Bonstocknian Department of Energy's Monterouge Ordinance Testing Range in central Bonstock, to evaluate the potential uses of these 'weapons.'