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Russia tests the world's largest ever non-nuclear bomb
Last updated at 14:52pm on 12.09.07Russia has exploded the world's biggest non-nuclear bomb in a dramatic escalation of the new Cold War.
Nicknamed 'the father of all bombs', it was filmed being dropped from a strategic bomber and exploding in a massive fireball.
The film then showed the debris of apartment buildings and armoured vehicles at a testing range, as well as ground burned by a massive explosion.
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DESTRUCTION: The world's largest non-nuclear bomb tested by Russians
It didn't give the bomb's military name or say when it was tested.
Yuri Balyko, head of the Russian defence ministry's institute in charge of weapons design, said yesterday: "We have got a relatively cheap ordnance with a high strike power."
The test comes as Russia spends massively increased oil revenue on rebuilding its military might.
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It has been nicknamed the Father of All Bombs
The device is said to be four times more powerful than America's Massive Ordnance Air Blast, nicknamed the Mother Of All Bombs.
It would target more specific areas than nuclear bombs, and is an immediate threat to problem areas such as Chechnya.
Last night a source close to the US National Security Council said it was a "matter of concern" that Moscow would develop such a huge weapon at a time when there was no obvious need.
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A computer image of a new ordnance from Russian TV which is claimed by the Russian military to be the world's most powerful non-nuclear bomb
He added that the US would ask for an explanation. He said there was "no chance" that America would become involved in a new arms race with the Russians and that the US had no use for bombs larger than the ones already in its arsenal.
While US intelligence was aware that Moscow was working on a new thermobaric device, it did not know that a test was imminent.
The latest raising of tension by Russia comes after president Vladimir Putin revived the Cold War era practice of flying bombers on long-range patrols.
Last week Royal Air Force fighter jets were scrambled to intercept eight Russian military planes flying in airspace patrolled by Nato.
The incident was the latest this summer in which British fighters have been used to warn off long-range Russian reconnaissance aircraft.
The so-called Mother of all Bombs is the biggest weapon in America's arsenal, capable of detonating 21,000lb of explosives above the ground.
The huge bomb, dropped from a slowmoving C130 Hercules aircraft and guided to its target by the satellite-linked global positioning system, can create temperatures of up to 1,000f (538c).
It is designed to obliterate chemical or biological agents concealed in bunkers.
The US is believed to have 15 in its arsenal but none is believed to have been used against an enemy.
Reader views (23)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
THE MAIN REASON THAT RUSSIA IS BUIDING ITS MILITARY IS IT FEELS THREATION BY THE USA.NATO WAS CREATED TO DEDEND AGAINEST RUSSIA NOW IT SURRUNDS RUSSIA.GORGIA WAS PUMP FULL AMERICA WEAPON FIRE A ROCKET IN RUSSIAN TERITORY AND COMITTING GENIDE AGAINEST OSSETYONS.THIS IS ACUSES TO PUMP CASH INTO USA DEFENCE FIRMS AND AND CONTROL THE EU THROUGH BEING ITS DEFENDER.EU THE WORLDS LARGEST ECONOMY SHOULD NATO ITS PURPOSE HAS CEASED SUPPORT THE DEMCRATIC UNITED NATIONS.IF USA WANTS TO PICK A FIGHT PICK WITH CHINA WHICH WOUNLD A FAIR COMPETION AND SEE HOW THEY FAIR.
- Luke Boscoe, uk london
QUIT WORRYING ABOUT RUSSIA AND WORRY WHY THIS COUNTRY HAS LET CHINA RUN OUR ECONOMY...YOU CANT BEAT AMERICA MILITARY MIGHT AND POWER , THE ONLY WAY TO DEFEAT AMERICA IS ABROAD AND ECONOMICALLY..GUESS WHOS DOING THAT....WITHOUT BOMBS.......WAKE UP ITS CHINA EVERYBODY..WHERE IN A RECESSION THATS WORSE THEN A WAR ?????IF I WANTED TO TEST A BOMB IT WOULD BE OVER CHINA....
- Alienmike107, PARMA OHIO
this is stupid i dont see why the world even created the nuclear bomb god created us to not blow up the world he made its not right and its a sin and destroyin peoples live and they want to stop pollution well if they keep making these well die before they will launch one wats the difference one blows up adn the other we breathe, ...we die its dumb idiodic and pointless
- Fred, nun ya texas
The Day is coming when the ulimate human folley will happen. May your God help you!!
- Paul Davies, Pontypool Wales
Yes, you do not have to worry about Russian aircraft entering United States airspace because the Russian Federation does not yet possess generation five aircraft technology. However, if the Russian Federation were to attack the United States it would, for the most part, use ICBMs and SLBMs (there are also military satellites that "may or may not" contain MIRVed nuclear warheads). The most likely assault point for Russian long range bombers would be Alaska. Future heavy war fighting will be fought with machines more than actual manpower. However, do not discount any possible aggression from the Russian Federation towards our allies and/or the United States itself.
- Brett, St. Petersburg, Florida
"There is no possible way a Russian plane could enter US airspace without interception. Russian warfare is not 50 years ahead of us. They don't have half the technology we have when it comes to weapons of mass destruction.
"
9/11
- Daniel, afganistan
Secret explosive?
"The astrolite family of liquid explosives were products of rocket propellant
research in the '60's. Astrolite A-1-5 is supposed to be the world's most
powerful non-nuclear explosive -at about 1.8 to 2 times more powerful than
TNT. Being more powerful it is also safer to handle than TNT (not that it
isn't safe in the first place) and Nitroglycerin"
Astrolite is supposed to be more powerful than the explosive that was used in this bomb.
- Mr Waffles, Wellington New Zealand
There is no possible way a Russian plane could enter US airspace without interception. Russian warfare is not 50 years ahead of us. They don't have half the technology we have when it comes to weapons of mass destruction.
- John, maple lake usa
The reason Russia is developing these weapons is for future security. Did you see the size of Russia? and look its next door neighbour, China, has no place left for population to grow...Russia has to develop these weapons, so the fear of them can keep peace, otherwise you might find yourself in WW3
- Sam, Sacramento, United States
Russian warfare technology 50 years ahead of us why do Americans constantly site security missiles sites next to them they are surrounded by hostile forces. America will lose a war if they start one with Russia this is a foregone conclusion that we are not told. Russia produces more oil, gas, precious metals, diamonds etc. than the rest of world put together and could solve all Great Britain's energy problems. Should we not be trying to talk to them instead of harassing them? If America was annihilated we will be too as to the amount of missiles we have pointing at them. Americans want to control the world. I would say look at history and learn. By the way I am a Scottish conservative if any body is wondering.
- Tony Reynolds, england
This is the least Russia will do to be prepared in the light of current situation where US is always doubted to be capable of attacking and will attack any nation they choose to as in Iraq.
- Zack, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
All the years of hard work on both sides and Putin does this? Instead of working with the great British people and the U.S., he chooses to escalate tensions in an era when peace should prevail. Russia's already been down this road and it doesn't work. Never has, never will but many people will die for him (and his subsequent leadership) to find out.
I thank God for good neighbors like the British and others who stand in the face of such silliness.
- Fly2, Denver, United States
Ye Gods and they sound so proud of it.
- Don, Whangarei, New Zealand
Bush administration woke up the red bear and I think they'd better let the bear sleep.
- Jeremy, Birmingham England
How exactly does this escalate the Cold War? Does every weapon we test do that? Have we actually been threatened by the Russians?
- Philip, London, England
Yuri Balyko, head of the Russian defence ministry's institute in charge of weapons design, apparently said yesterday: "We have got a relatively cheap ordnance with a high strike power."
Surely a better translation would be "we've found a cheap and easy way to kill loads of people we don't like".
- Austen, London
Hell of a big bang, let's build a bigger one.
- Dave, Surrey
If there really is a god out there, the biggest mistake he/she ever made was creating man/woman. You really messed up there mate!
I am ashamed to be human when I see all the rubbish we as a species create upon this planet and all its non-human creatures.
What's the point of me recycling and using eco friendly cars and not flying around the world for holidays and generally trying to be an eco-friendly person like a lot of us 'normal' folk when governments around the world are blowing the rubbish out of everything they can and then making us feel guilty that we are not 'saving the planet.' What's all that about?
WWIII is on its way, me thinks!
- Gm, London
I have to agree with Fly, we don't really deserve to survive as a species when we spend all our money developing technology which kills and maims rather than healing and feeding.
- Terry Roll, London
Russia is minting it from high oil and gas prices, the cash is fueling its arms upgrade program. These prices were flat during the eighties, a major factor towards the disintegration of the USSR, add to this the fact that most, if not all key industries that were flogged off during the nineties on the cheap is now safe back in Russia's hands, it looking to the future with confidence.
- Zak, London, UK
This military posturing is nothing to do with upcoming elections I suppose?
- Nick, London
Reading this we really do not have a chance as a race or as a so called civilized species. It is a matter of time before we destroy the Earth or ourselves. It is just a pity that 'normal' people have to be dragged into it.
- Fly, London
I'm sure the Americans have the "mother of all bombs" so where is this idiot Putin think he is taking Russia. Bankruptcy maybe?
- Frederick, Dubai
