Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Shellback Squid

(9,839 posts)
Mon Dec 1, 2025, 10:17 PM Monday

The weapon strikes were kinetic and not explosive, designed to sink but much less deadly to crew

"Limited Crew Kill: Unless the projectile directly strikes a crew member or a critical, volatile area (like an ammunition magazine or fuel tank), casualties are generally limited to the immediate path of the projectile and potential spalling in the immediate vicinity. The damage tends to be highly localized compared to the widespread effects of an explosion. A near miss with a pure KE weapon does zero damage"

"Modern anti-ship missiles predominantly use high-explosive blast fragmentation warheads because they are optimized for creating the maximum amount of general, mission-disabling destruction, including widespread crew incapacitation and death, fires, and systems failure. While a kinetic weapon guarantees a "hard kill" of whatever it directly hits, an explosive warhead spreads lethal effects over a far wider area, which is more effective for killing or incapacitating the ship's crew and systems."


So the primary goal was to sink the boat, that was achieved in the first strike, this was clearly an execution/murder

The Navy's choice of weapon was less lethal, explosive weapon would have achieved both on the first hit

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The weapon strikes were kinetic and not explosive, designed to sink but much less deadly to crew (Original Post) Shellback Squid Monday OP
some of the film sure looks like explosion. stopdiggin Monday #1
I know but the images look like heat signatures and I don't know how much heat is generated by a kinetic strike Shellback Squid Monday #4
They all look like explosions on the vids- are they just hitting volatile areas? Blues Heron Monday #2
It's really tough to explain targeting men in the water. Silent Type Monday #3
And survivors are supposed to swim home? n/t Chemical Bill 20 hrs ago #5
Isn't "Sinking" Basically "Drowning"? And Doesn't "Sinking" ... ColoringFool 18 hrs ago #6

stopdiggin

(14,829 posts)
1. some of the film sure looks like explosion.
Mon Dec 1, 2025, 10:28 PM
Monday

Perhaps because the vessels are relatively small? But - human survival of these strikes - appears to have been very limited, even in the initial ...

Shellback Squid

(9,839 posts)
4. I know but the images look like heat signatures and I don't know how much heat is generated by a kinetic strike
Mon Dec 1, 2025, 11:11 PM
Monday

so they are not huge fireballs nor are they small??? at a loss

ColoringFool

(139 posts)
6. Isn't "Sinking" Basically "Drowning"? And Doesn't "Sinking" ...
Tue Dec 2, 2025, 07:07 AM
18 hrs ago

still meet the definition of "war crime," given there is no declaration of war; no evidence of a crime let alone terrorism; and no trial?

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»The weapon strikes were k...