Hey, you know enough to know what you do not know! That is a good start- I certainly don't know exactly what the hell is really going on here either!
But I've worked my whole life around various high energy systems, with a hobbyist/amateur aficionado level interest in every related technology from energetic chemistry on to aerospace engin…
Hey, you know enough to know what you do not know! That is a good start- I certainly don't know exactly what the hell is really going on here either!
But I've worked my whole life around various high energy systems, with a hobbyist/amateur aficionado level interest in every related technology from energetic chemistry on to aerospace engineering and nuclear weapons. My parents both had PhDs, one in in high energy physics and the other in psychology, I learned a few things about humans and the universe we all inhabit from them as well. So let's do some reverse engineering!
PhDs are great, but engineering is where the rubber meets the road.
In my time in the semiconductor industry - one of the biggest lessons I learned is that reality trumps theory every time.
I worked through 4 process geometry generations starting as a design engineer and ultimately managing my (design software) company's relationship with Taiwan Semiconductor.
In every single one, we thought we knew what the big issues would be.
In every single one, the actual biggest issue turned out to be totally different. I'm not talking about little details - I'm talking issues that caused entire shifts in methodology to take them into account.
This is what the West should be the most concerned about. The lack of manufacturing in the West is leading to a lack of capability from both capacity and real world engineering. There are absolutely smart and capable people working in the US and European military industrial industries, but it is equally clear that literally every new system fielded for at least 30 years is simply not fit for peer or near-peer combat much less being remotely economical.
Russia has demonstrated a large number of new platforms with radical new capabilities, in contrast, despite being a lot smaller economically and spending a tiny fraction. The hypersonic missiles are one. The new nuclear engine behind the infinite range Buresvestnik. Fiber optic drones. Even the derided turtle tanks and the assaults with electric motorcycles are examples of real world innovation.
Oh, no disagreements there- I've been an engineering technician. And seen what a hands on developer with both theoretical chops AND fabrication skills can accomplish. Plus, seen very well accredited PhD candidates who didn't know which end of a screwdriver to point towards the project come to spectacular grief...
Hey, you know enough to know what you do not know! That is a good start- I certainly don't know exactly what the hell is really going on here either!
But I've worked my whole life around various high energy systems, with a hobbyist/amateur aficionado level interest in every related technology from energetic chemistry on to aerospace engineering and nuclear weapons. My parents both had PhDs, one in in high energy physics and the other in psychology, I learned a few things about humans and the universe we all inhabit from them as well. So let's do some reverse engineering!
PhDs are great, but engineering is where the rubber meets the road.
In my time in the semiconductor industry - one of the biggest lessons I learned is that reality trumps theory every time.
I worked through 4 process geometry generations starting as a design engineer and ultimately managing my (design software) company's relationship with Taiwan Semiconductor.
In every single one, we thought we knew what the big issues would be.
In every single one, the actual biggest issue turned out to be totally different. I'm not talking about little details - I'm talking issues that caused entire shifts in methodology to take them into account.
This is what the West should be the most concerned about. The lack of manufacturing in the West is leading to a lack of capability from both capacity and real world engineering. There are absolutely smart and capable people working in the US and European military industrial industries, but it is equally clear that literally every new system fielded for at least 30 years is simply not fit for peer or near-peer combat much less being remotely economical.
Russia has demonstrated a large number of new platforms with radical new capabilities, in contrast, despite being a lot smaller economically and spending a tiny fraction. The hypersonic missiles are one. The new nuclear engine behind the infinite range Buresvestnik. Fiber optic drones. Even the derided turtle tanks and the assaults with electric motorcycles are examples of real world innovation.
Oh, no disagreements there- I've been an engineering technician. And seen what a hands on developer with both theoretical chops AND fabrication skills can accomplish. Plus, seen very well accredited PhD candidates who didn't know which end of a screwdriver to point towards the project come to spectacular grief...