Nash equilibrium

If you’ve seen the movie A Beautiful Mind, then you know what this is a reference to.  Here it is demonstrated in real life.  An interesting problem that may only be solved with a heavy-handed solution.

Advertisements

Airships

I read this same article every few years.  Every few years the return of the airship is just around the corner.  Yet, it never happens.  I don’t think it ever will.

Walking the dog #1

I’ve been a cat person most of my life.  While, my family had a small dog or two when I was younger, I’ve never really been a dog person, until recently.  About a year or so ago, my older daughter’s desire for a dog could be put off no longer and the modelwife and the girls adopted Charlie, who is a very good dog.

Charlie

One thing that comes with dog ownership is walking the dog.  It has the virtue of getting me out and moving when the weather is nice and getting me the exercise that I might not otherwise get.

Well, as I was walking the dog the other night, I was thinking about the recent incident in Russia wherein an explosion took place and radiation was released.  As I’ve said before, I think that Russia is, pretty much, a paper tiger, though one with nukes.  Russia doesn’t have the money to maintain the forces it does have, much less a bunch of extra money to pour into weapons development.  This makes the attempt to develop a hypersonic, nuclear powered cruise missile all the more irrational, or does it?

This is the thought that occurred to me as I was walking Charlie.  Because Russia is so cash starved, deep down they know that they can’t keep up conventionally.  In fact, their attempt to prop up their man in Syria is a drain on their meager resources.  Given this situation, investing in “Hail Mary” types of technological leaps makes a certain sense.  Very similar to what Germany did in the latter stages of WWII, pouring money into the V-1, V-2, etc.  It is even possible, but unlikely that one of these long shot investments might pay off and result in a great leap forward that staves off impending Russian military irrelevance.  I doubt it, but you can’t completely discount the possibility.  Viewed in that light, the recent radiological incident makes a bit of sense.

Holy crap

A “production car” that does 300+ mph.  Where in the world, other than in Nevada and some other western states would you ever hope to drive such a thing that fast?  But, I have to say, it would be cool to do.

Good

Glad to hear it.

Su-70 UAV

The Russians have released video purporting to be the first flight of their Su-70 heavy UAV.  See this article for the details. (BTW, notice all the errors in the article.  Makes you wonder if this was a result of being rushed or was it because The Avationist isn’t as infomred as they purport to be.)

Su-47

Making an appearance at an air show in Russia after a long absence is the Su-47.  It first flew in 1997 and was last seen in 2007.  What strikes me is what poor shape the finish is in.  I wonder when the last time this thing flew?  I wonder if it can still fly?  Looks like they just towed it over form a hangar where it has been in storage.

Russian nuclear accident

The folks over at The Drive are staying on the story of the recent radiological accident associated with a possible failed missile test.  As I’ve said previously, we may never know what really happened but I am glad to see at least some news sites continuing to follow the story.

More Russian vaporware

Story here.  As usual, I don’t believe we will ever see this, thought I do ultimately think this is the wave of the future.  I also think robotic vehicles, UAVs and soldiers will make war more likely, not less likely.

Robots in space

Is it the next step in Skynet?  I doubt it.  However, I have no doubts that robots like this will be vital in space travel, especially on trips to Mars and to more distant objects.