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I did make a typo, it should be 10% not 19%.

Yes I did simplify the math somewhat didn't I (what a goof !), it sounded wiered at the time too.

So lets say 100 total bombs, 10 of them smart bombs and those ten bombs accounted for 75% of the accurate hits.

THat leaves 90 bombs accountable for the remaining 25% of accurate hits.

I'm still not impressed, I thought it was a little more evolved than that.

Why countries can't test bombs in thier own country?

Are they manuifactured or developed in australia? This would make it logistically correct.

They are too dangerous to test in America due to population density? What's wrong with all those barren areas?

I am completely ignorat to why countries, almost all of them I think, test weapons in OTHER countries. I can understand weapons and rockets being deployed at sea, however I am sure the ocean life is still confused, but why in other countries?

Someone knows I'm sure.

Because we had a larger air weapons testing range than the US does. Its also a way to get allies on board with the program - its more difficult for a new government to rail against a new weapon, if the previous government allowed testing of it.

James

Not that I'm attempting to justify it, but the article stated that they are launching them off a carrier, and most of our coastlines are pretty heavily populated. I don't know how remote your Northern Territory is, but maybe that's why they aren't testing them here.

The reason that the US wants to test its bombs here in Australia is that the US military generally has a woeful record of hitting the wrong target, and anihilating the odd ally with misdirected ordnance.

Therefore we offer them large areas of barren land around the target, so that when they do get their co-ordinates wrong, at least they don't **** up the local school.

Mind you, it is still possible for a US pilot, in the heat of the moment, to mistake a Land Rover for a Leopard tank. Therefore I will be staying a good distance away when it all happens.

Perhaps, Jules, we could tell them that Kirribili House is the target!! With our luck the old bugger would be out jogging, or they would hit the Opera House instead. It is a house, after all.

Cheers,

Alan

I don't know why we'd want to practice bombing on a country we like. Why don't we practice somewhere like France??? Just kidding.

"The reason that the US wants to test its bombs here in Australia is that the US military generally has a woeful record of hitting the wrong target, and anihilating the odd ally with misdirected ordnance."

LOL!! Where do you guys come up with some of this stuff!! Good lord the anti-US spin is so thick from select people on TR you need an oxygen mask to keep from drowning in it.

But anyway...for the record every nation with a modern military has had its share fair of inaccurate weapons firing.

And about the test firing...well the atomic bomb was initially tested on US soil and that is a heck of a lot more devastating than any cruise missile or smart bomb in the current arsenal. Of course that was many decades ago, and as another poster pointed out I think the fact that australia's population density doesn't hold a candle to the population density of the US is a overwhelming no brainer, the fact that no matter how distasteful it may be for some to know, but Australia is also an ally of the US, and don't act like Australia is just helping the US out because of its "good hearted nature", they are getting support from the US in return, its a mutually beneficial relationship.

Finally, conventional weapons are tested constantly on US soil all over the US ...so why is this being made an issue of as "US has some nerve to test their weapons on another country!"...I think its laughable, because obviously some folks don't know what really is going on here.

Anyway...ugh my first day back from a long weekend getaway trip...oh joy!

later.

and note the following remarks:

"A joint training centre would be built to link Australian and US forces and provide real-time battlefield assessments. Prof Babbage said the public had not yet been told the significance and benefit of the training to Australian forces.
"What I can see happening is rather more than what has been revealed," Prof Babbage told the newspaper. "There will be things that will be learned together, they will try completely new things."
Prof Babbage said the deal would send a strong message to the region of US support for Australia.

I can't speak for anyone else, but you will see that I deliberately included the references to increased co-operation between Australia and the US.