Posted on Dec 1, 2023
The Strange Metallic Submarine that Snatched a Thermonuclear Bomb
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Sleek, innovative, and ahead of its time, the Aluminaut was the world's first aluminum submarine. But its true test was yet to come – a mission that would thrust it into the riskiest role ever taken on by a submersible.
In 1964, during a routine refueling operation above Palomares, Spain, a B-52 Stratofortress and a KC-135 had a devastating mid-air collision. Metal screeched, flames erupted, and the two massive warplanes plummeted to the ocean below.
But the chaos was only beginning; amidst the billowing smoke and fire, a cargo far more ominous than burning jet fuel was set loose. Three thermonuclear bombs with the power to level cities and scorch nations fell from the sky, their locations unknown.
The worst fears of the Cold War were violently rekindled by the grievous incident. Three of the warheads were swiftly recovered and accounted for, thanks to the cooperation of Spanish authorities. Still, another had sunk to the bottom of the sea, and it would require an extraordinary operation to recover.
The Aluminaut, a top-secret asset, was sent for the high-stakes mission. The submergible and its crew would have to do anything in their power to recover the thermonuclear bomb before someone else could claim it…
In 1964, during a routine refueling operation above Palomares, Spain, a B-52 Stratofortress and a KC-135 had a devastating mid-air collision. Metal screeched, flames erupted, and the two massive warplanes plummeted to the ocean below.
But the chaos was only beginning; amidst the billowing smoke and fire, a cargo far more ominous than burning jet fuel was set loose. Three thermonuclear bombs with the power to level cities and scorch nations fell from the sky, their locations unknown.
The worst fears of the Cold War were violently rekindled by the grievous incident. Three of the warheads were swiftly recovered and accounted for, thanks to the cooperation of Spanish authorities. Still, another had sunk to the bottom of the sea, and it would require an extraordinary operation to recover.
The Aluminaut, a top-secret asset, was sent for the high-stakes mission. The submergible and its crew would have to do anything in their power to recover the thermonuclear bomb before someone else could claim it…
Mining and Metals
Submarines
Cold War
Nuclear
Weapons
Posted 10 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
"Authorities have said the Titanic-touring submersible that went missing on Sunday suffered a “catastrophic implosion,” killing all five people on board while descending to explore the wreckage of the famous ship.
That submersible, known as “Titan,” began the two and a half hour trip early Sunday and lost contact with its mother ship, the Polar Prince, an hour and 45 minutes into the journey.
The tail cone and other debris from the missing submersible were found by a remotely operated vehicle about 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic, which rests about 13,000 feet deep in the North Atlantic Ocean, the US Coast Guard announced on Thursday."...
"Authorities have said the Titanic-touring submersible that went missing on Sunday suffered a “catastrophic implosion,” killing all five people on board while descending to explore the wreckage of the famous ship.
That submersible, known as “Titan,” began the two and a half hour trip early Sunday and lost contact with its mother ship, the Polar Prince, an hour and 45 minutes into the journey.
The tail cone and other debris from the missing submersible were found by a remotely operated vehicle about 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic, which rests about 13,000 feet deep in the North Atlantic Ocean, the US Coast Guard announced on Thursday."...
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