tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652903760325934372024-03-19T00:24:48.967-04:00IMINT & AnalysisOpen source military analysis, strategic thinking, and imagery interpretation. To locate Google Earth placemark files for download, select the label "Google Earth Placemark" from the keywords menu. Comments are welcome and encouraged.Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.comBlogger210125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-83564906262806166822016-11-29T14:13:00.000-05:002016-11-29T14:13:06.256-05:00Status UpdateAll:<br />
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Every once in a while, I get an e-mail about the status of the blog. Here's an (overdue...) update! Unfortunately, large-scale IMINT blogging is on indefinite hiatus, as you've probably figured out with zero updates over the past few years. The reason behind this is that I moved on to a permanent position with IHS Jane's, doing much the same thing!<br />
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That being said, I've been setting up and using a Facebook page, where I give info on upcoming Jane's features, share news bits of interest, and post the occasional imagery bit. Interested parties are invited to seek out and follow me at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/caffeinatedanalyst/">The Caffeinated Analyst</a>.<br />
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All for now!<br />
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Sean<div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-89644268394796406982013-07-10T23:55:00.002-04:002013-07-10T23:55:56.720-04:00NASIC 2013 Missile ThreatNASIC has released the 2013 edition of their highly amusing Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat document! This is something I've been waiting for since the middle of last year, given that they'd been putting one out every three years and the last one was 2009.<br />
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Press release containing a download link is <a href="http://www.afisr.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123355529">here</a>.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-8147537274729251302013-07-09T21:55:00.002-04:002013-07-10T21:13:53.600-04:00Jane's on Saudi, more infoMy next Jane's Intelligence Review article is being published/posted to their web this week. The topic: Saudi Arabia's ballistic missile force. Some of you will remember that I covered the topic here a few years ago. That article has been removed for a while to maintain the exclusivity or whatever you want to call it (my decision, not theirs), but the new one is more than simply a re-write. For one, there are different facilities examined.<br />
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The editors think there is a chance this goes over in a big way with some of the press for various reasons I don't want to spoil, but now that it's in the bag I'll actually get back to working on what I was supposed to be working on around here!<br />
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Given that the FSA appears to be committing revolution fail, the Syrian air defense piece is being shelved and will instead take its "normal" place inside an I&A issue. The first thing to actually finish will be the S-300P history update, and then it's back into I&A and cleaning out the exploding Gmail inbox.<br />
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Incidentally, I'm looking for more interesting ways to monetize my existence. If you know of anyone looking for imagery analysis work or something similar, send a note my way. I'd also be amused to try my hand at the lecture circuit, for that matter, although how one breaks into such a thing is beyond me at this juncture.<br />
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Back to work!<br />
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Edit: <a href="http://www.janes.com/article/24321/saudi-ballistic-missile-site-revealed">here's the online preview</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-76828129637765576562013-06-27T16:16:00.002-04:002013-06-27T16:16:54.340-04:00Current Events, Updates<div style="text-align: justify;">
Things have been a bit sporadic for the past few weeks, so I figured I'd explain why. Basically, my Windows 7 laptop that was the tool for all of my amusing activities decided to develop a consistently recurring Blue Screen of Death problem. After numerous system restores (and not the Windows kind, the delete and re-install everything kind), the problem has not gone away, so I'm now back on the old laptop. No real problem, it just means I've had to save files, move stuff around, and re-install programs like Google Earth and GIMP on this thing. So, things should be a bit more sane for now. This thing is at least far more stable than the other one, apparently. I'm told that it may have to do with this one's Intel processor vs. the other one's AMD chip, but that's so far beyond my computer brainpower that it's not even funny. I was able to mess with this one to get it functioning a lot faster, so it's less irritating to have to go back to it now. So, I can now work on finishing a lot of things I had thought I'd be finishing on the other one.</div>
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Projects still in the pipe include:</div>
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-A standalone document representing an updated and expanded I&A piece on the S-300P/400 SAM family</div>
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-A look at Syria's IADS, which may or may not be completed in a timely manner if it continues to look like nobody's going to do anything NFZ related.</div>
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-The still in progress Falcon missile history update</div>
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I also have a massive backlog of e-mail in my Gmail account. If you've tried corresponding through that address recently, but have not gotten a reply, this is why. I hope to begin clearing those out this weekend.</div>
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One other thing that will likely get posted this weekend is...well, basically a look at some open source data. Some of you will find it amusing, but I bet a lot of you will think I've lost my mind, due to one of the focuses. Well, no more hiding. Time to publish and take my place alongside Those Guys, and try to beat the cold hard facts into the brains of the rest of you.</div>
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Now, some current events of amusement from the past week or so:</div>
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Arms Control: the US has come up with an idea to reduce US and Russian nuclear arsenals again. Russia is not pleased, citing ABM concerns. China thinks it's a great idea. Now, a lot of people have come out on both sides of this, and I find myself somewhere in the middle. I support the presence, continued development, and potential use of nuclear weapons when required. That being said, I would agree that the stockpile we currently maintain is both 1) old and in need of updating or replacing, and 2) numerically bloated given the actual threat picture. So if we want to cut down again, I see no reason why not. Russia's argument, however, holds zero water. This is the same old "ABM systems nullify our deterrent" argument that's been around since we came up with the idea of European-based ABMs. Well, sorry Russia, but you get zero credibility points. Why? Because they're developing their own upgraded and new-build ABM systems themselves! Were Russia to stop such development (which in reality would be asinine from various standpoints), they'd then have an accurate argument. But as long as BOTH SIDES can potentially intercept enemy ICBM RVs, then neither one gets to argue.</div>
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Snowden: put him in jail. Same with the Army guy and the alleged rapist. The first two, simply put, violated non-disclosure agreements to which there are clear consequences. The third guy? At the very least an accessory to Army guy, and therefore also liable. Which means he'll probably end up escaping London and get made an Admin at ATS or something equally ridiculous.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-26857019803230344532013-06-24T14:47:00.001-04:002013-06-24T14:47:42.680-04:002DZAPOver in the Recommended Downloads section, you might notice a new program called 2DZAP. This is a missile trajectory simulator designed by Andrew Pavacic intended for pointing out significant errors in trajectory modeling and flight physics in flight simulators and the like. It's an amusing program, and Andrew's upcoming AIAA article on the simulator demonstrates how he is able to get the same results as those published by NASA for various missiles, validating the effort he put into its design.<br />
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Download it, check it out, and be on the lookout for the AIAA article!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-76057671097532941292013-06-17T19:23:00.000-04:002013-06-17T19:23:24.012-04:00No NFZ for you!A few interesting things regarding Syria lately.<br />
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First off, Russia says we're not allowed to use the F-16s and Patriot SAMs in Jordan to make an NFZ in Syria. International law or something. Which is of course a ridiculous argument. Lets say the UN decided it was NFZ time (for the sake of debate, ignoring whether the UN does anything productive). Jordan decides to play along. Well, then all those nice toys stockpiled over there become fair game. What Russia probably meant to say was that we can't do it unilaterally. Or, that they don't want us to do it unilaterally, that's more accurate. Then they have a point. I'm curious to know if the Vipers are CGs or CJs, because the latter would make covert NFZ plans more credible for reasons that should be obvious.<br />
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Second, Russia is at the G8 complaining about Syria. So are we, obviously. My favorite part is when they argue that "our" evidence of sarin use by Assad is not up to standards, or whatever they mean. Which is amusing, because where were the similar comments when France (and I think a UN arm?) made the same statements a short while ago? Oh, but this time it's the US, so it has to be wrong. A little consistency would be nice. At least it'd make them appear actually concerned and not just out to be on whatever side we're not.<br />
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At this rate, my "idiocy is bipartisan" mantra may have to be altered to "idiocy transcends borders."<br />
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And really, Russia, come on. If you're so gung-ho about Assad staying in charge (or at least keeping the US out of Syria (although that's already a fail)), plop an S-400 battery at your naval port. Or one of the extant S-300PM batteries that the S-400s are displacing in Russia. In fact an S-300PM could be a better idea, because then when everything cools off, you announce that by the way, the Syrians have been training for the past year and are keeping these.<br />
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Also, if I am off and on here in the next week or so, I'm having computer issues. I've got a Windows 7 laptop that I've been using for a while now, and it's been doing this random blue screen thing that was really starting to get annoying. So, system restore! An easy process when you save everything to an external drive. But if it starts up again, there may be further restoration/driving over it with my car. So don't worry, I'm "back" regardless, there just may be technical difficulties from time to time until I get this completely sorted out.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-53843489106980708302013-06-14T01:29:00.000-04:002013-06-14T01:29:10.697-04:00Arming "rebels" is a great idea and never backfires!So, now we're going to give more arms and support to Syria's "rebel" forces. Somebody tell me just why this is a bright idea. For one, this pretty much proves that whatever they're teaching in history class at a certain Ivy League school, they're leaving out the history of Al Qaeda bit. You know, the part where "rebels" are given arms and support to overthrow an enemy, and then they later turn around and bite us in the ass.<br />
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I'm going to attribute this decision to a few different possible factors.<br />
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1. We're going to fight a proxy war with Iran; we could care less about Syria, but what we want is to be able to engage Hezbollah inside of Syria. Iran can't or won't do anything serious itself, so it relies on its Hezbollah proxy to fight for it, far enough away that it thinks we won't notice what's really going on. Well, we see you, Iran, you and your photoshop missiles and hilarious "aircraft" designs. We can't or won't do anything about Iran (and this is completely independent of the should we or shouldn't we argument so don't even start), so this will work instead. Except that support and assistance has a way of turning into a massive debacle and sucking us in way too deep into something largely irrelevant, but I guess the plus side here is that Syria isn't covered in jungle? Although why Hezbollah matters is another question, given that I haven't heard of them launching rockets across the Mexican border yet.<br />
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2. It's Egypt all over again. And no, not Egypt of a few years ago, Egypt of a few decades ago. As in we're only picking this side because the "bad guys" (i.e. Russia and in Syria's case also China) are on the opposite side of the fence. Which turned out to be such a stellar political decision back then. <br />
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3. We waited too long to do anything militarily productive. I've been saying for a while now that relying on Soviet-era IADS components gets you bombed, apparently if you don't follow our rules. See Iraq, Yugoslavia, and Libya. Syria, with modern Chinese radars and modern Russian SAMs (even though Russia currently lacks the stones to just airlift S-300PMU-2 components using An-124s...at least I think they'd fit given that it could airlift Pioner), has moved away from the bombable model of air defense, which has given us pause. Notice how a lot of the NFZ stuff disappeared with a quickness when all of the fun new toys started to be either delivered or reported in service, or it became obvious that Russia might eventually send the S-300PMU-2s that Syria ordered. Which incidentially would mean the inclusion of Russian advisors and trainers, who might get bombed, and we don't want that...but aren't you supposed to want to bomb the "bad guys"? Now I'm confused.<br />
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In reality, everyone should step back and let the situation play itself out. Because I can't for the life of me see where this results in a "win" if we start trying to play nationbuilder again. I understand that there is a certain need to play geopolitics and make it look like we're standing up to the "bad guys", but in reality none of us should be involved. Why not engage Russia and China and get everyone to take a step back, because relations with those two are far more valuable and important in the long run than whatever happens to Syria. If you want to look good to the international players, at least make yourself look good to the ones that actually matter.<br />
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Oh wait, I forgot...if they aren't the "bad guys", how can we justify billions of dollars for overpriced and unnecessary hardware like the F-35...<br />
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And before the inevitable question comes up, no, I am not necessarily against bombing things or sticking our nose into someone else's business when there's a definite endgame that will be to our benefit. We have just as much right to act in our own national interest as anyone else does, despite what the rest of the world wants you to think. But once again, someone really needs to explain to me how this one is in our national interest, because I'm just not seeing it.<br />
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...but there's also...<br />
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Nope. Not going there.<br />
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Yet.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-32350950493084315692013-06-04T17:06:00.001-04:002013-06-04T17:17:18.120-04:00Comments, Current EventsComments are still OK, don't worry. Just to reiterate a few old "rules" though:<br />
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1. Say whatever you want. I'm not a censor. I'll even usually reply. I bring this up because sometimes I get comments that do sit in the box for a day or two. The reason behind that is usually because it's a piece of information that is interesting or relevant and I want to examine it, and the comment inbox is a safe place to store it so I don't forget where it was posted and then lose it.</div>
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2. That being said, comments are still moderated. This means I have to hit a button that says 'publish" for your comment to show up. Why? Because I get way too many spam comments. Spam I will censor. Pretty much anything else is fair game.<br />
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Here's a good spam comment that showed up right after I posted this: "<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I'm impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that's both educative and engaging, and let me tell you, you've hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that too few people are speaking intelligently about. I'm very happy I came across this during my hunt for something relating to this. Also visit my blog legal amphetamines"</span></div>
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See what I mean? There has to be some sort of comment generator these idiots are using, because I'll get the same one multiple times with the only difference being the website they want you to visit. They're smart about it too, they only post on older articles, very rarely the most current feature. <br />
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Anyway, I assume nobody really wants legal amphetamines. Although it'll be interesting to see what the words legal amphetamines do to my incoming traffic for the next few days. I wonder if anyone monitors websites looking for the words legal amphetamines because I'm relatively certain spam comment websites are not really pointing you to legit legal amphetamines. There might be a search engine designed to find the phrase legal amphetamines on websites to track people who are after said legal amphetamines.<br />
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LEGAL AMPHETAMINES!</div>
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Fun over, on to the news.</div>
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<a href="http://www.armstass.su/?page=article&aid=118776&cid=25">S-300s not in Syria yet</a></div>
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Well this should be self-explanatory. The contract doesn't have to be fulfilled until about this time next year, so there's no rush. You do have to wonder why Russia is still dragging their feet, though. If you're trying to avoid the West going in and screwing up one of your export markets, why would you present them with what amounts to a "bomb by this date" ultimatum? </div>
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This may be the result of Russia both wanting to finalize the deal, while at the same time giving the West time to think about what blowing up a Syrian S-300P series site would mean. Because it'd probably be host to Russian advisors and trainers for 6 months or so after delivery, you know. It could also be that Syrian crews just haven't started training or completed the training course yet. In which case delivering the systems would make them amount to really expensive bombing targets.</div>
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Speaking of which, Israel is still barking about blowing the things up if they're delivered because of the threat. I.E. the Syrian IADS would be credible for the first time since about, oh, 1986 or so. What I still want to know is what happened to their countermeasures that they were so sure would defeat an S-300P series system? If the system represents no real threat (and assuming they haven't drank whatever the Turks did in the 90s), why go to the effort of locating and striking them, especially if you're blatantly risking irritating Russia in the process by potentially killing Russian nationals? Isn't it better to sit back and laugh as Assad spends himself into a hole?</div>
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Wait, I know. Clearly Russia upgraded to Windows 8, rendering the Israeli electronic countermeasure and intrusion stuff irrelevant.</div>
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<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22773268">France: Assad's guys used sarin gas</a></div>
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France claims that analysis proves that sarin gas, which is a chemical weapon and therefore a WMD, was used somewhere in Syria on more than one occasion.</div>
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And of course France isn't telling which side used the stuff...which was what I was going to say when the first report came out and they weren't talking.</div>
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Now, however, they're claiming that it was Assad's forces and/or regime supporters (diplomat speak for Hezbollah). Said claims conveniently being made as I was in the process of typing here. Stupid media. If they're not blowing things way out of proportion, they're being inconveniently timely with their reporting.</div>
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Well, now we're really going to see what the "proper" interpretation of terms like "game changer" and "red line" is, aren't we? Not that I do or don't think we should be bothering with the non-Assad guys (like I mentioned in another post, supporting such types has worked out so <i>famously</i> for us in the past...), but if I say there will be bombs if you do X, and you go and do X, then it can be argued that there should be bombs. Otherwise why should anyone take me seriously?</div>
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Not that I'm sure anyone should in the first place.</div>
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Probably shouldn't take me seriously either.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-65854580203260643272013-06-02T21:58:00.002-04:002013-06-02T21:58:30.734-04:00Current EventsOne of the things I'll be trying to do here on a more regular basis is to actually comment on some worldwide military developments or events which I find interesting, amusing, or both. Some things are relevant even if they don't come with nice overheads! So with that in mind, here are a few topics that have appeared over the last few days (or weeks, or months...):<div>
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<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22688894">Russia to supply Syria with S-300s</a></div>
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Iraq: mythically overrated by the media, massively bombed twice. Syria, Libya, Iran, and the DPRK were all advised to take notice, given their reliance on the same supposedly mythical yet in reality old-technology weapon systems for air defense. Looks like Syria is learning the lesson that Iran thinks can be solved by welding together oil cans. Buk-M2E systems, Chinese JY-27 and Type 120 radars, and now, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/31/syria-russian-s-300-missiles">by 2014 apparently</a>, some variant of the S-300. Most likely the S-300PMU-2, the current production export model of the P series, although I could make an argument for the S-300VM for added ATBM capability against Israeli weapons.</div>
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This is the Russian government enacting a new type of "missile diplomacy", wherein they deploy their own or supply modern system components to someone else to ensure that the West stays out of some given situation/gets a message/etc. And you know what? Can't blame them for it.</div>
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The last time I checked, the S-300P was not a Kalashnikov or shoulder-fired SAM, and therefore not on the UN Arms Control Register. Nor is it typically part of any sort of arms embargo, of which Syria is not under anyway. And, despite ridiculous Turkish theories, the weapon is not a credible surface-to-surface threat. So there is no reason for the sale not to proceed, unless of course the West really does have designs on entering Syria and sorting things out in the manner that it wants them sorted out. </div>
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And if the EU can decide it's OK to sell weapons to the anti-Assad crowd in Syria, they've got no real leg to stand on when Russia actually conducts a formal, legal transaction on the state-to-state level. Although in the EU's defense the idea of supporting a rebel force with light arms has never, ever blown up in anyone's face down the line. </div>
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Oh, wait...</div>
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If you ask me, this will either 1) force the West to run in half-cocked without taking the time to think things through and end up creating a bigger mess in the long run (which we arguably did in Iraq despite having said time to think about it first), or 2) make everyone back off while the situation, uh...basically solves itself.</div>
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Harsh? Yup. But look at it this way. Either the world wants/needs external actors to intervene in the internal affairs of states when things go awry, or it doesn't. That's the question: should we intervene because Assad is a bad guy? Should we stay out of it because it's a situation precipitated internally by internal forces? That's a whole different argument, which isn't the point here.</div>
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Or maybe Russia really does want us to intervene. Because if the West does eventually go in there after the missiles are operational, Almaz-Antey will be able to sell them for a billion dollars per unit with all of the publicity they're going to get. Or maybe this is all a really convoluted ploy to get Israel to bomb Syria again, claiming that sophisticated weapon systems that Hezbollah would not be able to operate or maintain in a million years are being...transferred to Hezbollah!</div>
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Really. Buk-M2Es for Hezbollah? That was the best argument they could come up with?</div>
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NEXT.</div>
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<a href="http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=publisher&publisher=THE_JF&type=&coi=IRN&docid=4f4b58c92&skip=0">Saudi Arabia considering nukes, the DF-21</a></div>
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Now this is interesting. Saudi Arabia procured the DF-3A in the mid-80s, and signed the NPT in 1988 to assure the US government that no, they weren't trying to go nuclear (although allegations of Pakistani and Iraqi nukes were made for years). Now, with the Kingdom starting to be wary of Shi'a Iran's nuclear (alleged) ambitions, they might be reconsidering the world's most fatal mushrooms. And replacing the DF-3A as the potential launch platform. </div>
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The difference is that with the DF-3A, they had an inaccurate IRBM basically useful for nuclear warhead transport through the atmosphere. The DF-21 is far more accurate, terminally guided in some versions, making it useable as a conventional strike weapon where the DF-3A is really not. </div>
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The nuclear weapons acquisition is the best part of the story. If they go this route, then they're breaching the NPT, provided they don't withdraw first. If they don't withdraw, prepare for much hilarity as Iran and its supporters raise hell about the double standard. Because you don't really think we'd actually sanction the almighty oil supplier, do you?</div>
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For more on Saudi, the DF-3A, and associated information, my next JIR article will be on this very topic.</div>
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NEXT.</div>
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Iran has a stealth fighter</div>
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Yeah, I'm not linking to that. If you want a good laugh, go find the pictures yourself. But this is why nobody takes Iran seriously: they abuse the idea of deception to the point where all it does is make us laugh. Plus, their supposedly legitimate programs are also either 1) abused by deception, or 2) just hilarious. Remember the lawnmower engine powered "stealth" flying boat things? The photoshopped missile launch salvoes? The welded together oil cans allegedly holding SAMs inside? This one beat all of them. </div>
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Iran: demonstrating a lack of aerodynamics, LO design, and cockpit ergonomics all at the same time! Although, we really should've figured the first one out when their crowning aeronautical achievement was putting a second vertical fin on an F-5.</div>
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NEXT.</div>
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<div>
<b>What I'm looking for this week:</b></div>
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-Where are Venezuela's S-300VM systems based? Their Pechoras?</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-7451758876726217222013-06-02T15:47:00.000-04:002013-06-02T15:47:21.833-04:00Azeri Favorit LocatedIn July of 2010, various media reports indicated that Russia was completing a sale of S-300PMU-2 Favorit (SA-20B GARGOYLE) SAM systems to Azerbaijan. Something of an uproar ensued, with Russia and Azerbaijan denying the sale and Armenia expressing its displeasure. Then, in June of 2011, two S-300PMU-2 TELs appeared in an Azeri military parade in Baku. Clearly the sale had gone through, despite the denials from all parties involved.<br />
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Now, following an imagery update in May of 2013, the location of Azerbaijan's Favorit SAM systems can be disclosed. Sited on the coastline northwest of Sumgait, the Favorit batteries appear sited to defend the capital area. The 200 kilometer range of the Favorit's 48N6E2 (GARGOYLE mod 1) interceptor also provides the system with a degree of capability over western Azerbaijan, although the Nagorno-Karabakh region remains just out of reach.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJI5pngjSERqZFyRHpjousJEGdldONgFkLEtLUxs7IhmTf212Tnkc87GwNpB4brwogJJzom0-JWyKkSG2ptXzVY8ddKpR7tTYczBhCfz6YrNkRyftriZsefGr44-A18iGljHvFZ83ZjKkF/s1600/AZERISITEOVERVIEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJI5pngjSERqZFyRHpjousJEGdldONgFkLEtLUxs7IhmTf212Tnkc87GwNpB4brwogJJzom0-JWyKkSG2ptXzVY8ddKpR7tTYczBhCfz6YrNkRyftriZsefGr44-A18iGljHvFZ83ZjKkF/s400/AZERISITEOVERVIEW.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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Azerbaijan deploys two Favorit batteries and a single battle management complex. Each battery possesses a 30N6E2 (TOMB STONE) engagement radar and a 96L6E acquisition radar, with four 5P85TE2 TELs. The northern battery also possesses two 40V6 series mast assemblies adjacent to the two radar systems. The central position employs the 64N6E2 (BIG BIRD D) battle management radar. <br />
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The southern site is emplaced on a reprofiled former S-75 (SA-2 GUIDELINE) position, with the northern site emplaced on a newly built semi-hardened position. The site buildup suggests a permanent deployment location. However, the mobility of the S-300PMU-2 allows it to redeploy in a very short period of time.<br />
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The S-300PMU-2 represents the most advanced SAM system in the region, and is easily the most capable air defense system in the Azerbaijani inventory. The 200 kilometer engagement range is supported by 300 kilometer range surveillance and tracking capability from the associated 64N6E2 and 96L6E radars, systems capable of monitoring the bulk of both Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh. The six target engagement capability of the system, effectively doubled by deploying two batteries, effectively negates any aerial threat posed by the Armenian military. Furthermore, the ATBM capability of the system removes Soviet-era SCUD missiles from the threat picture.<br />
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With the deployment of the S-300PMU-2, Azerbaijan has taken a significant step to upgrading its air defense capability. The ability of the Favorit, coupled with the state of the Armenian military, significantly reduces the threat of an armed conflict between the two nations in the future, or at the very least enables Azerbaijan to remove the Armenian air and missile threat from the equation.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-4230830805453592532013-06-02T14:25:00.001-04:002013-06-02T14:42:21.494-04:00Let's try this again...So let's try this whole "restarting" thing again, shall we? The past six months or so has been busy, irritating, profitable, and a whole bunch of other adjectives I won't print here! However, life has finally calmed down and organized itself in such a fashion that I can give a lot more time to fun things like this (some of you may have noticed my lack of activity on various websites as well, same reasons apply). So, the current plan is as follows:<br />
<br />
1. Figure out some way to re-work and re-launch I&A<br />
2. Post anything I find amusing here<br />
3. Try and locate the long-term consistency that has, so far, avoided me like the plague<br />
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A few current projects in various stages of completion:<br />
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1. An updated and expanded look at the S-300P/400 series, to be published as a separate PDF file (the old look was in a past I&A issue)<br />
2. An update to my history of the Falcon missile family<br />
3. An I&A special report covering Syria's air defense posture, with an assessment of what the S-300P (PMU-2?) procurement will mean going forward<br />
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Also note that the SAM Site Overview has been updated below. Additionally, the past issues of I&A are still available. Here are the download links for what I'm referring to as Volumes 1 (2011) and 2 (2012):<br />
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Volume 1: <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download/4pk51tbgdv8qs39/IA_Volume_1.zip">Download</a><br />
Volume 2: <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download/jvkk3on1ykfvfdh/IA_Volume_2.zip">Download</a><br />
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With all this in mind, I've still got a backlog of communications to get through regarding various things, so if you contacted me at one point and haven't heard back, I'll be getting to it. If you want to re-contact me, that's fine as well, it'll make sure you don't get lost in the shuffle.<br />
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So. Who do I want to irritate today?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-81944797302992887202012-10-30T14:11:00.003-04:002012-10-30T14:11:28.847-04:00Red October<div align="justify">
I should have the October I&A finished by the end of next week. The biggest issue has been the Russian air defense overview. Russia moved to four OSCs rather than the previous military zones, meaning I had to change all of the placemark files (said changes will show up in the next SAM Site Overview update as well). This is causing some problems with map generation, as the new OSCs are (except for the Southern OSC) a lot bigger than the previous military zones. I'm trying to find a map style or template that works best to show the entire zone and it's taking a bit longer than I wanted it to. Everything else was relatively simple to update.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-56286485699842382152012-10-10T08:51:00.000-04:002012-10-10T08:51:10.546-04:00August/September I&A<div align="justify">
See what I did there? The current issue of I&A has begun distribution. Due to my different workload this semester I didn't get around to 1) doing this on anything close to a normal schedule, and 2) get around to a separate September issue.</div>
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Also, don't expect to see anything else "new" from I&A until 2013. The next two issues will be October and December, focusing on Russia and China and primarily consisting of updated articles on air defense, strategic forces, etc. There won't be anything in November, the idea is to leave a lot of space open to ensure that all of the updating is complete on time (in theory). </div>
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Because of the current workload issue, I may go to a bimonthly schedule in 2013. We'll see. If I get things under control the rest of the year, I may be able to retain the hypothetical monthly schedule.</div>
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Finally, anything notable will appear either here or as an I&A special report for the rest of the year for the reasons listed above. I also have a rather large (over 100 sites) update to the SAM Site Overview to process as well.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-71186503721468054352012-08-29T17:52:00.002-04:002012-08-29T17:58:29.008-04:00August I&A<div style="text-align: justify;">
A brief update: the August I&A is being finalized, but may require some work on Saturday to complete given my new schedule. I now teach five days a week instead of my more typical two, but I can't complain. As such you may see it in your inbox during the first week of September rather than over the weekend.</div>
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There are two outstanding contributor pieces focusing on China and Pakistan, as well as two pieces of my own covering air defense updates in the Caucasus region and a new method of classifying military locations in Google Earth (or any other GIS program for that matter).</div>
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Remember that September will be a new issue, but October will not; October will be an updated, consolidated Russia-centric issue. Then November will be new, and December will be a repeat of October but China-focused.<br />
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Also, the next Jane's Intelligence Review contains an article I wrote covering present and future upgrades to Russia's strategic nuclear arsenal. We got some great satellite imagery in there of some of the new Voronezh BMEW radars, and a few other interesting locations.<br />
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Lastly, if you heard someone on Voice of America talking about SAMs in Syria...yeah, that was me.</div>
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I'll get back to work now.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-492788322210381602012-08-02T15:16:00.003-04:002012-08-02T15:16:35.936-04:00I&A, the Business Model. Or something.<div align="justify">
So I'm trying to wrap my brain around a way to get out there and use my brain to generate additional sources of money. Which CFO-House usually transforms into apparel, or VP-Destruction demands for whatever the latest toy on the market is, but that's another issue entirely! </div>
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My current line of thinking is some sort of consulting or analytical service, which I mentioned last month. </div>
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First, a few disclaimers.</div>
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1. Everything posted here is and will always remain free of charge. The same goes for the I&A PDF. I do those because I find it interesting, and because I'm apparently good at it, or so I'm told.</div>
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2. Also free: academic-related help. I've assisted people who've contacted me with various things from finding sources to reviewing theses. If you've got a question along those lines, or any other general question of amusement, don't hesitate to contact me. You won't be getting a bill!</div>
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I've obviously started channeling brainwaves into cash deposits via my work with IHS Jane's, and will begin to pursue other similar opportunities as well.</div>
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The point of my new idea is to offer a fee-based service to, well, pretty much anyone, providing detailed analysis or imagery interpretation. I haven't completely thought this through yet, with questions such as "do I need to set up a legitimate business" or "is there red tape to cut" still in the future.</div>
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The question right now remains: is there a market? Which can be translated as: do you know of anyone who would benefit from such a service? Pass my e-mail along to anyone you can think of that might be in the market for this kind of work. Foreign clients are certainly acceptable, provided they aren't asking me to do something illegal under US law.</div>
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The idea is to take on analytical or analysis tasks and do the groundwork, delivering a finished product to a user. The product can be a document, a KML file, or an annotated image or map.</div>
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The one caveat here is that if a user requests imagery-based analysis, they may have to provide externally-sourced imagery. When we use imagery in Jane's, it's purchased directly from a provider so they have the rights to use it "for profit" (and lets us use imagery that's typically far more current than you can find in Google Earth). I'll have to look into the guidelines a bit more from Google to see what's what with this issue. Incidentially this is one of the main reasons I&A will never cost you a dime, because it prevents me from having to purchase rights to the imagery!</div>
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As far as a pricing system goes, I haven't thought too far on that either. But I'm certainly not interested in making this my plan to join the 1 Percent, or throwing myself into an obnoxious tax bracket. I do intend to use a per-project fee, rather than an hourly rate system, because it makes things a lot easier to deal with and I don't have to justify spending seven hours looking at one single image.</div>
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Once I get a better idea of the entire process, the pricing plan, and whatnot, I'll post a PDF file here outlining the way things will work. I should probably get something together containing my areas of expertise and professional experience as well, that'd probably help.</div>
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So, is this a good idea, or have I completely lost my mind?</div>
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Which is always a distinct possibility.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-66979320840710166352012-07-31T23:57:00.002-04:002012-08-01T13:21:30.199-04:00July I&A going out tomorrow<div align="justify">
UPDATE: the first set of e-mails just went out. Expect to see the e-mail within the next day or two.<br />
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Here's the link to download the June issue, for everyone else: <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/view/?k66x3lux0c39m6h" target="_blank">CLICK</a><br />
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July's I&A will go out tomorrow afternoon once I finish tweaking the book review bit. I'd have had it done today but I got sidetracked doing final grades for the semester and taking care of some edits to my next Jane's feature covering Russian strategic force developments. The KML file will be really amusing this time, there are a ton of palcemarks for Libya.</div>
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All for now!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-60134518038862617972012-07-26T16:39:00.000-04:002012-07-26T16:39:02.500-04:00July I&A and other info<div align="justify">
July's I&A is coming along and will be distributed on time by the end of the month. Topics will be as follows:</div>
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-A book review</div>
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-Analysis of BDA from Libya in 2011</div>
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-The ROK's ADD Complexes</div>
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-An update to the Chinese radars in Syria business</div>
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Expect a KML file for this issue as well.</div>
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Moving forward, expect "normal" I&A issues to appear every month except October and December. Those months are reserved for Russia and China respectively, and will serve as annual volumes focusing specifically on each state. They'll include both the content in last year's issues, as well as Russia or China focused content from other I&A issues. Everything will get updates.</div>
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Also, my next Jane's article will focus on the updating of Russian strategic forces, to include the ABM and BMEW networks, and should appear in the August issue of Intelligence Review. Or maybe September. It depends on what the cover date is versus when it goes to print. I'll post the link here once it goes on the IHS website, as I did with the previous one.</div>
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Lastly, I'm thinking of offering some sort of professional-type consulting service. More to follow on that early August, probably.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-29857301145158944282012-07-05T11:16:00.000-04:002012-07-06T19:09:49.131-04:00Going "Live"<div align="justify">
UPDATE: No word yet as to the time, so it may be pushed to early next week. I assume that the BBC might be paying a lot of attention to that Andy Murray guy right about now...<br />
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Either tonight or tomorrow I'll be doing a live radio interview with the BBC on <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0070h86" target="_blank">5 Live</a>. You can listen in online at the link, it'll be sometime between 2000 and 2200 (that's 8PM - 10PM in US Eastern Time). I should have a bit more info regarding the schedule later today, at which point I'll post an update.</div>
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The topic will be the Syrian air defense situation, including the Turkish RF-4E shootdown.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-28238275073331222632012-07-03T15:41:00.004-04:002012-07-03T15:41:43.382-04:00BBC on Syria; July I&A<div align="justify">
Here's something from the BBC that you all might find interesting: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18689037" target="_blank">CLICK</a> </div>
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In other news, the topics for July's I&A are shaping up as follows:</div>
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-A look at BDA of Libyan SAM sites struck in 2011, with an eye to what this represents as far as current SEAD/DEAD tactics go (seems like this might be relevant in the near future)</div>
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-A look at the ROK's ADD complexes</div>
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-A follow-on to the I&A special report published over the weekend examining the coverage of Chinese-sourced EW assets located in Syria</div>
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Those are all well on their way to being done, and I'm still looking at a few other ideas. One idea is to explain the problems with <a href="http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?ID=201207020037&Type=aTOD" target="_blank">this article</a>.</div>
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I'm also re-working the layout for the imagery template I use in I&A. The big one, like the one I posted here for the captured Syrian Type 120 EW site. I currently have two issues to resolve, and one idea to incorporate. First, I need to shrink the upper border a bit, to give more space to the image. And maybe add a surrounding border as well. Secondly, I need to figure out how to save the finished images properly so that they don't screw up the color. Look at any of the big images in I&A, including the maps. Any time I use red (which is a lot), the red parts look ugly in the saved image. Nice and bright on-screen during creation, not so much after the save. This is an image issue, not an issue converting to PDF, as it does this to the saved image before I do anything else with it. The idea I'll be including at some point is to generate a system of identifiers for each location I show. This can then be cross-referenced with the SAM Site Overview placemarks. </div>
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And now I have a nice six-day weekend for the holiday, to spend working on my next IHS Jane's feature and some of July's I&A.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-29412477309734243012012-07-02T14:05:00.006-04:002012-07-02T14:05:51.323-04:00The Strong Get Stronger<div align="justify">
Two recent events significantly increase the effectiveness of what is already the world's most capable air defense network. Simply put, the strong are getting stronger.</div>
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On 28 June, <a href="http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20120628/174293966.html" target="_blank">Ria Novosti</a> reported that the new missile for the S-400 passed state trials, and would soon be delivered to operational S-400 batteries. Whether this is the rumored 40N6 or not is up for debate, as is the actual genesis of the 40N6, but the classification of the new weapon as "long range" seems to indicate that the S-400 will soon have it's full design range capability of 400 kilometers at its disposal. The "long-range" classification also appears to eliminate a 9M96 variant from consideration, a weapon long associated with the S-400 complex.</div>
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While mention of the potential 40N6 deployment has appeared in various sources, an earlier announcement seems to have largely been ignored. In January, <a href="http://vpk.name/news/63903_vse_zrs_s300pm_stoyashie_na_vooruzhenii_zenitnyih_raketnyih_polkov_voisk_vko_proshli_modernizaciyu_po_programme_favorits.html" target="_blank">reports stated</a> that S-300PM batteries had completed upgrades to Favorit-S standard. This increases the maximum engagement range of the system from 150 to 200 kilometers, by incorporating the newer 48N6D missile. Although still short of the S-400's 250 kilometer range against most non-cooperative targets with the 48N6DM, the Favorit-S represents a solid increase in system effectiveness, blostered by the introduction of newer electronic components. </div>
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As the new S-400 continues to enter service, modernized Favorit-S systems present three possibilities. First, they can be used as gap-fillers, backing up S-400 batteries uploaded with the longer-range 40N6. This represents a useful role, given that the 40N6 likely possesses a reduced capability at range to engage non-cooperative targets. Additionally, modernized Favorit-S batteries displaced by the introduction of S-400 units can be redeployed around Russia as replacements for older S-300PT and S-300PS batteries. Lastly, Favorit-S batteries, displaced by S-400 batteries and not required elsewhere in the nation, could potentially represent a viable export target for a nation lacking the resources to acquire the more expensive S-400 but requiring an air defense upgrade. As such they could also be passed on to states such as Kazakhstan or Belarus as replacements for extant S-300PS and S-300PMU systems while awaiting delivery of S-400 batteries.</div>
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Regardless of the details, one thing is clear: the Russian air defense network is becoming increasingly potent. </div>
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Users of the SAM Site Overview file will see these changes reflected during the next update. S-300PM range rings will be altered to reflect a 200 kilometer range, and separate 400 kilometer range rings will be added for the S-400 to denote it's two-missile selection.</div>
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<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-35275701734154382672012-07-01T17:54:00.002-04:002012-07-01T17:54:17.612-04:00I&A Special Report: Chinese Radars in Syria<div align="justify">
Interested readers can download an I&A special report on Chinese radars in Syria here: <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/view/?dhaki37cur3udpu" target="_blank">CLICK</a></div>
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There are, at present, three different Chinese radar types identified: the Type 120, the JY-27 (WIDE MAT), and the JYL-1. The last identification is the least conclusive but appears accurate based on imagery analysis and examination of various photographs of Chinese radar systems.</div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-63455371651521708042012-06-30T14:02:00.001-04:002012-07-02T13:24:17.582-04:00Captured Syrian Radar Position<div align="justify">
UPDATE: thanks to PS860 posting in the comments, the unidentified array is a 1RL23 (SCORE BOARD) IFF system. It's also a very small unit, and due to the size I misidentified the position in the imagery below. It actually sits east of the domed structure, and does not appear visible in the imagery. At least I got the IFF interrogator part right!<br />
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Rebel forces recently captured a radar site in northwestern Syria on 26 June, and subsequently <a href="http://blogs.aljazeera.net/topic/syria/video-fighters-seize-military-airbase" target="_blank">released a video</a> showing various radar systems. The image below depicts the radar site as it appeared in August of 2011. The site is located among the Sheikh Barakat ruins roughly 2.5 kilometers west of Dar Ta izzah in northwestern Syria, roughly 12 kilometers from the Turkish border.</div>
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The site is noteworthy as it contains both FSU and Chinese EW sensors. An FSU P-12/18 (SPOON REST) radar system is present alongside a newer Chinese Type 120 2D surveillance radar. A third as yet unidentified array also appears in the video, and may represent either an additional radar array or an IFF interrogator.</div>
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The Type 120, along with JY-27 (WIDE MAT) radars noted at two other EW complexes east of Damascus, highlight the Chinese industry's connection with Syria. Given that the Type 120 represents a target acquisition sensor for SAM support in Chinese service, it is prudent to speculate as to whether Syria has acquired modern Chinese SAM systems to improve its air defense network. </div>
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The Type 120 first appeared in imagery of the Dar Ta izzah EW complex in June 2010, with the JY-27 present at one of the southern EW sites as early as August of 2009. It is therefore likely that the arms shipment containing these sensors was delivered no later than early 2009.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOee96wQ98ZTOG3phTRKcZvJ1R1juImMEHUTBCu7dLmdU1YkVsgTCTinPyaE8FzHdjb4Y16Oss0FNsU-phcd3ADQhCRBLXiFwyAZka510s9ulj1JV7P3VwzT3wKhtIvdqdCfn34f1L2wF/s1600/SYRIANCAPTURED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOee96wQ98ZTOG3phTRKcZvJ1R1juImMEHUTBCu7dLmdU1YkVsgTCTinPyaE8FzHdjb4Y16Oss0FNsU-phcd3ADQhCRBLXiFwyAZka510s9ulj1JV7P3VwzT3wKhtIvdqdCfn34f1L2wF/s320/SYRIANCAPTURED.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-47560469670986811712012-06-29T12:57:00.003-04:002012-06-29T12:57:37.840-04:00June I&A and other info<div align="justify">
The June I&A is being finalized right now and will go out this afternoon. As before, it takes about three days to get all of the e-mails out (stupid Gmail, I am not spam!). Also, here's the download link for the May issue for everyone else out there to check out: <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/view/?d2nrwg0wmmyudi9" target="_blank">CLICK</a></div>
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I ended up going with only two topics: Syria's SAM Network (hey, I figured it might be relevant...), and a contributor piece by Daniel Videre on the sources of water at the Tabriz S Silo Complex in Iran. The other two potential topics have been shuffled around. </div>
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The Russian radar information will now be present in a new feature I'm penning for IHS Jane's covering the modernization of Russia's strategic nuclear arsenal. As part of that I'll be covering the ABM network, as there have been a lot of new BMEW changes, and I believe the new radars may play into that. Did I say radars? That's right, I found another one, a wholly different system. At any rate, if you can get ahold of the Intelligence Review issue with the article, pick it up. There will be a large quantity of previously unpublished (i.e. you can't find this stuff in Google Earth) overhead imagery from Digital Globe and GeoEye. There are definitely benefits to working with a professional organization willing to find any available imagery to play with!</div>
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The Korean ADD Facility Analysis will also be in next month's I&A; I'm searching for more information on some of the recent weapon systems tested at the various complexes to include in the report.</div>
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I know, I know, June's I&A will be a little bit short, but this should give Daniel's article a bit more attention, which it definitely deserves. I've mentioned it before, but it deserves mentioning again: for a bunch of guys doing this for free, the contributors I have collected so far are doing first-rate work. I've also got another new one lined up, who I hope to get involved in either July or August. Also to combat the shortness, I've been prepping a number of articles for the next few issues, so expect an increase in content again.</div>
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Also, I've pretty much finished with rearranging the SAM Site Overview file, with the exception of the chore of identifying all of the damn Chinese arrays, so those files will go up once I&A is done with for June.</div>
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Lastly, I'm contemplating various ways to alter the format of I&A to clean up the presentation a little bit. Maybe a smaller font, maybe a revised layout for a few things. Don't expect to see anything different until next year though; I have no desire to completely reformat the entire "Red October" issue's contents at this point!</div>
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All for now. And who decided to let it be so hot outside here this week? Of this I do not approve.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-49818482855391927192012-06-22T03:08:00.001-04:002012-06-22T03:08:22.235-04:00SAM Update...update, plus I&A<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just about done with the updating. For now all that has been accomplished is a sanity check of individual locations (which took a lot of time given that there are well over 7,000 sites), with some updates and deletions. I have yet to go through China's EW sites to reattack the radar ID issue, that'll be next. </div>
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One thing I have decided to do is go through Russia and China and break everything down by military region. In these two cases, you'll be able to open the country folder, and see a series of subfolders for each MR. These folders will be organized the same way the country folders are now, with subfolders for active sites, facilities, etc. Also, the MR subfolders will also be "clickable" the same way country folders are now. When you click on Russia, for example, a window will appear giving you the overall totals for Russia. Then when you click on the Western Region folder, for example, you'll get the totals for that individual region. This will make things like updating the Russia and China air defense articles for I&A that much easier as well, as I will no longer have to spend time separating everything out.</div>
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When the Russia and China breakdowns are done, I'll update the files. Doing China's EW sites will be a bit more time consuming so it'll likely appear in the next update. I also may go back and heavily alter the Historical Sites idea, using it only to store sites that have actually disappeared. Given that some countries re-use old SAM sites for newer systems (like Russia) I can't justify moving, say, their SA-2 sites into the Historical section en masse. If it can't be done there, it shouldn't be done anywhere in order to maintain consistency.</div>
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Working a few new projects for IHS Jane's as well, more details on those to follow when it gets closer to publication. For now, pick up the next issue of Defence Weekly, I just might be quoted in there.</div>
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The June I&A is coming along, with a few interesting topics. There will be a Syrian air defense network piece, an examination of what might be a new radar in Russia, an overview of Korea's ADD complexes, and a contributor piece on Iran. And anything else I can think up in the next few days! It'll be out by the end of the month.</div>
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All for now, except that if you haven't 1) seen Prometheus, 2) heard The Industrialist, or 3) acknowledged the superiority of the Heat, then, well: summer, you're doing it wrong.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165290376032593437.post-77693353273538974622012-06-03T02:23:00.001-04:002012-06-03T02:23:23.662-04:00SAM Site Overview Improvements<div align="justify">
I'm thinking of ways to upgrade the SAM Site Overview file. There are a few things that need to be done:</div>
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1. Re-analyzing Chinese EW sites to accurately reflect deployed radar systems</div>
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2. Going over everything and moving some locations to the historical section, such as sites no longer in existance due to razing and reuse of the location for something else</div>
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Beyond that, there are some things I'd like to do if and when I get the time:</div>
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1. Locating the damn Azeri S-300PMU-2 components</div>
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2. Incorporating more of the active and inactive EW sites in the US and Canada</div>
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3. Changing the SA-2 range rings to a width of 2.0 rather than the current 3.0 (this brings them in line with everything else and will shrink the size of the Range Rings file)</div>
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4. Trying to indicate the actual SA-2, SA-3, etc. variant used by each nation</div>
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5. Putting some more detail into the site placemark windows</div>
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6. Expanding the SHORAD section</div>
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Beyond that, are there any ideas out there for ways to further improve the file? If you've got suggestions, throw 'em into the comments. I'll try and reply to each suggestion and tell you if I like the idea and will do it, or why I might not like the idea and won't. </div>
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Either way, the current system has now been in use for a while now, so it's time for a facelift and some general tweaking. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Authored by Sean O'Connor
Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.</div>Sean O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12262754627111404755noreply@blogger.com12