U.S. says missile parts mistakenly sent to Taiwan

U.S. says missile parts mistakenly sent to Taiwan

www.cnn.com

The U.S. Defense Department accidentally shipped ballistic missile components to Taiwan, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

Four nose-cone fuses for intercontinental ballistic missiles were shipped instead of the helicopter batteries that Taiwan had requested, Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne said.

The fuses were shipped to Taiwan in fall 2006 and kept in a warehouse there. The Taiwanese military informed the United States last week about their presence on the island.

(visit the link for the full news article)

wow. Conspiracy much? Thats the perfect way piss-off China. Notice it took them TWO YEARS to tell us we sent the 'wronge parts'. Glad they got all the info the needed to be able to make it them selvs. Whew who! Go America! . . .

www.cnn.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

They said on Fox news (on tv) that it was the head of a minuteman.

This is from the fox news website:

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon announced Tuesday that the United States mistakenly shipped to Taiwan four electrical fuses designed for use on intercontinental ballistic missiles, but has since recovered them.

The error is particularly disturbing, officials said, because of its indirect link to nuclear weaponry and because of the sensitivity of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, which China regularly denounces as provocative. The Defense Department said an investigation of the incident is under way.

At a news conference, Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne said the misshipped items were four electrical fuses for nose cone assemblies for ICBMs. He also said they were delivered to Taiwan in 2006 and had been sent instead of helicopter batteries that had been ordered by Taiwan.

Wynne said the investigation is meant to sort out what happened and how.

President Bush was briefed about the mistaken shipment and is glad that the parts have been recovered, said White House press secretary Dana Perino.

"He appreciates that they are taking action, and that there is a full investigation under way," Perino said.

Asked if Bush still has confidence in Air Force leadership, Perino said: "Yes, yes he does."

The fuses were manufactured for use on a Minuteman strategic nuclear missile but contained no nuclear materials.

It is the second nuclear-related mistake involving the Air Force in recent months. Last August an Air Force B-52 bomber was mistakenly armed with six nuclear-tipped cruise

Henry said the exact sequence of events that led to the mistake and the recovery of the items was unclear.

U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are especially sensitive because China vehemently objects to U.S. defense assistance to the island that Beijing deems to be part of China.

Taiwan, which split from China amid civil war in 1949, potentially is the most sensitive issue in U.S.-China relations. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own and has threatened to attack should the self-governing island make its de facto independence formal. Washington has hinted that it would go to war to protect Taiwan.

While Washington switched its recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, it remains the island's most important foreign backer, providing it with the means to defend itself against a possible Chinese attack.

Just a few months ago a B-52 flies multiple live nuclear weapons over the U.S. without authorization and supposedly in weapons-ready configuration.
There are a few threads where we discussed this. The more notable are here:

B-52 Nukes Were Headed for Iran: Airforce Refused
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Military Nuke flyover U.S. tied to 'diminished strategic focus'
www.abovetopsecret.com...

ATS Premium: Barksdale Missile Number Six: The Stolen Nuclear Weapon
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Now this.

-ChriS

[edit on 25-3-2008 by BlasteR]

I don't know what to make of this Parts from the 1960's? Fuses instead of batteries? If Taiwan had been dishonest, they could have just kept ordering parts until they had an entire missile
I needed a laugh today. But I'ld be curious if someone else has another take on this. I don't think this mistake ranks up there with the B52 "mistake". Is this being blown up out of proportion?

Existing thread here:
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Please add to the ongoing discussion.

Thank you.




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