Short Takes – 7-25-23

How Ukraine’s New DPICM Cluster Munitions Actually Work. KyivPost.com article. Semi-technical discussion. Pull quote: “As the submunitions fall air resistance on the ribbon attached to them helps stabilize their position as they fall allowing the shaped charge liner cone to face downward so that when it strikes the target it does so at the optimum angle to ensure maximum penetration. The submunitions fall at a very steep, almost vertical, angle which makes them more likely to enter trenches where the fragmentation of their steel bodies acts as an effective anti-personnel weapon.”

Here’s what scientists say about whistleblower claims that Pentagon has evidence of alien crashes. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “But as an old scientific saying goes, the plural of anecdote isn’t data — and scientists told The Hill that the trouble with all these claims by Grusch and others isn’t that they’re impossible.”

House Freedom Caucus members sounded their concerns about Kevin McCarthy's plans to pass a slew of spending bills starting this week. Politico.com article. Pull quote: “Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) later told reporters he wants to see all 12 final spending bills, with additional Freedom Caucus demands incorporated, before voting on anything. That appears to jeopardize any votes this week.”

Warming Could Push the Atlantic Past a ‘Tipping Point’ This Century. NYTimes.com article. Pull quote: “In interviews, several researchers who study the overturning applauded the new analysis for using a novel approach to predict when we might cross a tipping point, particularly given how hard it has been to do so using computer models of the global climate. But they voiced reservations about some of its methods, and said more work was still needed to nail down the timing with greater certainty.”

Railworthiness Directive for Tank Cars Owned by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Rail Services, LLC and Equipped With Rubber Linings Owned by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Rail Services, LLC; RWD No. 2023-01. Federal Register FRA notice. Summary: “FRA issued this Directive, RWD No. 2023–01 [link added], under 49 CFR 180.509(b)(4) to SMBC based on its finding that as a result of non-conforming qualification practices, SMBC-owned DOT–111 tank cars, equipped with SMBC-owned rubber linings, may be in an unsafe operating condition that could result in the release of hazardous materials into the environment. As a result of the identified non-conforming qualification practices, these cars may have substantial rubber lining defects, potentially affecting each tank car's ability to retain its contents during transportation.”

Regulatory Guide: Criteria for Programmable Digital Devices in Safety-Related Systems of Nuclear Power Plants. Federal Register NRC final guide. Summary: “The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing Revision 4 to Regulatory Guide (RG), 1.152, “Criteria for Programmable Digital Devices in Safety-Related Systems of Nuclear Power Plants.” This RG describes an approach that is acceptable to the staff of the NRC to meet regulatory requirements for promoting high functional reliability, design quality, and a secure development and operational environment (SDOE) for the use of programmable digital devices (PDDs) in the safety-related systems of nuclear power generating stations.”