Temporary Archive: Suzanne Brockmann's Message Board

Does a grenade that doesn't explode when fired make it any less likely to explode ? No, it is more likely to explode. Most ordnance has at least one safety and US usually has two and usually also multiple fuzes. So a LAW rocket, for instance, has a safety on the rocket that requires the rocket to be launched and and a safety that requires it to fly a certain distance. At that point it is fully armed and ready to explode. So, a piece of ordnance that has its safeties off is more likily to explode and some are extremely senistive (the LAW can function because a shadow is cast on it)

What would be a reason why an ordnance doesn't explode? The most common reason is that the safety malfunctions, leaving the ordnance with no fuse, but there are as many reasons as fuzes and conditions. In this case it is most likely very old poorly maintained ordnance that has been damaged

Is a rocket-propelled grenade more dangerous than a hand thrown one or is it just distance? Rocket propelled grenades aren't really grenades anymore, the are shaped charges for defeating armor or barracades. The are akin to bazooka rounds of the WWII era. So they have a lot (2.2lbs) more explosive weight that a hand thrown grenade (.25lbs) Plus, the fuses are extrememly sensitive.

What can you tell me about maritime laws with respect to an attack on a privately US owned ship? Any attempt to hinder navigation is illegal and considered piracy.
I am assuming they have the right to defend themselves? Yes, but they really don't have much of a need---the ships can generally outrun the pirates. Boarding a ship like that underway requires a HUGE amount of skill and training

I worked with a paranoid Mike once--but he was okay on meds--no, no parabolic mikes but I have worked a lot with robots and unmanned vehicles Was never all that impressed with them, but we are just now starting to scratch the surface of their capability.