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Comment by joelthelion

4 years ago

Is this particularly sensitive? Are anti-tank rounds that cutting-edge?

Yes, while the basic mechanics aren't particularly sensitive in 2022. The exact details with regards to range, penetrating power, accuracy, weight are.

Given this information an adversary can adjust tactics to engage at a range that's more optimal for their rounds, recognize that they should use alternate longer range strikes, or devise long term mitigations.

Given that all of the above actions are expensive, it's a lot easier to take them when you have the exact specs. The problem is even worse with air to air missiles where pilots can be trained to counter most missiles if they have the exact performance characteristics.

  • So if you release fake specs understating your stats you get enemies coming into range for free ?

    • You may also make an adversary believe they have a much larger advantage then they do, inviting a conflict.

      There is substantial debate as to whether the open development of projects such as the f-35 is beneficial or harmful compress to the secret development of things like the J-20. The congressional interrogations of Lockheed Likely help ensure that the f-35 works as advertised, but adversaries gain insight into the development timeline, problems, and more specs than they would have otherwise.

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    • Not against anyone competent. If your opponents are taking a single photo leaked on Reddit at face value, then you're going to have an easy time.

a huge portion of classified/sensitive material is not all that interesting/cutting edge. But if you'd rather an adversary not know it, or it could potentially be exploited then it'll be marked classified.

Not particularly, CCTV7 documentary on Type 99A tank quoted the significant numbers a couple years ago.