[quote name='Kritavarma' date='13 February 2013 - 05:03 PM' timestamp='1360754752' post='116472']
Arunji,
1. The Hindu reports that A-6 will be a 65-70 ton class missile with a range of 6000 km for 4-6 warheads. Is this because we are restricted to boosted fission weapons of the sloika type (each MIRV weighing about 500 kg or so for a yield of approx. 150 kt ) ?[/quote]
This is the big 'danda' (full range ICBM that other major countries posses) that stabilizes Indian deterrence of punitive retaliation on any country full 360 degrees. While A3 can deliver a single warhead (of limited potency) at full range, A5 can deliver a single warhead of greater potency to full range. A6 of 65 tonne will rain decoy and brahmastra that even a determined enemy with ABM will find it very challenging.
[quote name='Kritavarma']
2. Did we ever test any boosted weapon of the sloika kind ? Was S-2 (not S-1 primary) of this type as well ?[/quote]
Field test - no.
Other - humm.... credible enough alternative .... ?!
[quote name='Kritavarma']
3. You say that our sloika types of 150-250 kt yield do not weigh 1-ton. Then, what is the 1-ton payload likely to be ? A larger weapon of similar design with higher yield (say 300-500 kt) ?[/quote]
Weapon with different level of confidence (certainty) level (and possibly different yield).
[quote name='Kritavarma']4. Given that NoKo has tested now (appears they got about 20 kt though news reports play it down to say 6-7 kt), they may have the equivalent of the S-1 primary in their possession. What do you think ? [/quote]
The previous N test was no simple fission test, but was boosted primary for use in 2 stage TN. NoKo and Pakistan are jointed at the hip in this endevour. Poof goes Indian nuclear warhead qualitative edge against Pakistan.
All N7 nations know that but are keeping quite.
Arunji,
1. The Hindu reports that A-6 will be a 65-70 ton class missile with a range of 6000 km for 4-6 warheads. Is this because we are restricted to boosted fission weapons of the sloika type (each MIRV weighing about 500 kg or so for a yield of approx. 150 kt ) ?[/quote]
This is the big 'danda' (full range ICBM that other major countries posses) that stabilizes Indian deterrence of punitive retaliation on any country full 360 degrees. While A3 can deliver a single warhead (of limited potency) at full range, A5 can deliver a single warhead of greater potency to full range. A6 of 65 tonne will rain decoy and brahmastra that even a determined enemy with ABM will find it very challenging.
[quote name='Kritavarma']
2. Did we ever test any boosted weapon of the sloika kind ? Was S-2 (not S-1 primary) of this type as well ?[/quote]
Field test - no.
Other - humm.... credible enough alternative .... ?!
[quote name='Kritavarma']
3. You say that our sloika types of 150-250 kt yield do not weigh 1-ton. Then, what is the 1-ton payload likely to be ? A larger weapon of similar design with higher yield (say 300-500 kt) ?[/quote]
Weapon with different level of confidence (certainty) level (and possibly different yield).
[quote name='Kritavarma']4. Given that NoKo has tested now (appears they got about 20 kt though news reports play it down to say 6-7 kt), they may have the equivalent of the S-1 primary in their possession. What do you think ? [/quote]
The previous N test was no simple fission test, but was boosted primary for use in 2 stage TN. NoKo and Pakistan are jointed at the hip in this endevour. Poof goes Indian nuclear warhead qualitative edge against Pakistan.
All N7 nations know that but are keeping quite.