Okay Anons, SubFag here, with my $0.02 on the missile launch. A couple of things to consider first off, although I am not a BoomerFag (and yes, that is what we actually refer to them as), I am 99.9999% confident that a missile cannot be launched while surfaced, as the process to launch the missile from the launch tube uses air to propel it to the surface (at least that’s what I remember from fast attack vertical launch information that I can remember-someone correct me if I am wrong).
Second, I do not believe that the sub could be hacked (though I am about 15 years out of date on the tech). I think that it is more likely that the launch authority command was hacked, and the codes sent to the sub, where they would be authenticated and then the sub would navigate to its designated launch zone, and fire the missile. I have been told that the crew on the boat doesn’t even know if the missiles that are loaded are real or training (though this is merely hearsay).
I’ve also examined the photo and used some of my MathFag skills (someone please double-check my work, because last time I came up with a launch distance of 68 miles, and now I calculating 258 miles to launch point). I hate math, and yes I am in engineering school nonetheless.
I noticed in the Skunkbay pic of the missile that slightly to the right of the missile exhaust trail looks to be a transmitter tower (note the 2 red lights). I have verified this from other pics from skunkbayweather.com.
I did a non-scientific analysis of the pic. Using known information of the Trident D5 missile being 44.5’ in length, I measured the amount of pixels in the launch pic of the “missile”. I measured 12 pixels. I also measured distance from tip of “missile” to sea level, and it was 819 pixels. Divided 819 by 12 then multiplied by 44.5’ and came up with the missile height equaling 3037’ at in the pic. Using this data, I was also able to calculate the height of transmitter tower. I calculated 267’, or 81.6 meters above sea level.
I did a search on FCC’s website for register tower locations near where I thought the tower was located, and looked for towers with sea level heights +/-10 meters of what I calculated. I then narrowed the search to what line of sight distance from the Skunkbayweather cam would be (~20-22 miles). The only tower that fits these parameters is in Oak Harbor, WA (48°14’42.2”N 122°39’46.5”W). Using its registered height above sea level of 72 meters (about 235’) I then calculated using similar triangles the distance to the missile launch, which (I think my math is wrong) is 258 miles. The ONLY place where a sub could transit in and out from the Pacific and launch a missile is what I have annotated in the attached pictures. I used NOAA nautical charts to determine what the water depth is in the possible launch areas.
Sauce:
Line of sight distance:
https://members.home.nl/7seas/radcalc.htm
Charts:
https://www.nauticalchartsonline.com/chart/zoom?chart=CHS3512
FCC Tower info:
https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistration.jsp?regKey=2664309
Skunk Bay weather:
https://www.skunkbayweather.com
BAKER NOTE: