Subterranean Warfare: Can Pickaxe Mountain Be Destroyed?
Summary
Mark Dubowitz interviews TraceR CEO to discuss combating subterranean threats, from Hamas tunnels to Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain. They define "Subterra" warfare categories and detail TraceR’s autonomous demolition systems designed to collapse underground infrastructure mechanically. The conversation highlights how these technologies offer a viable solution for destroying deeply buried nuclear facilities that current kinetic weapons cannot reach.
Topics discussed
Introduction: CEO background and founding of TraceR
The subterranean warfare gap and global tunnel threats
Funding, strategy, and the 'Subterra' domain definition
Subterra 1: Excavator-class autonomous demolition systems
Subterra 2 & 3: Hard rock challenges and horizontal drilling
Striking Pickaxe Mountain: Deeply buried nuclear facilities
Procurement hurdles and the need for US subterranean deterrence
Battle damage assessment, special ops integration, and conclusion
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