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| Science & Technology |
| For Old Patriot: Arclight returns |
| 2010-02-05 |
| So it's not the one you're used to. The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) is seeking funding in Fiscal 2011 for ArcLight, a program to flight-test a long-range, high-speed strike weapon based on the Raytheon SM-3 ballistic-missile interceptor. ArcLight will be based on an SM-3 Block II booster stack and a hypersonic glider, and designed to carry a 100-200 pound payload more than 2,000 nautical miles. The weapon will be compatible with the Mark 41 vertical launch system and capable of launch from U.S. Navy warships and submarines as well as Air Force assets. |
| Posted by:ed |
| #6 I'm a'thinkin the USN, USAF assets will be backup for ADVANC ARMED DIRIGIBLE DESIGNS kept in permament or near-permanent atmospheric orbit. OTOH, those Nations opposing the USA will likely want a formal international treatise banning such dirigibles from either offensive or defensive use, e.g. ONE-HOUR-OR-LESS "PROMPT GLOBAL/SPACE STRIKE" INCLUD "PROMPT GLOBAL/SPACE MISSLE DEFENSE"??? |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2010-02-05 19:07 |
| #5 Or eliminate certain turbaned leaders in hiding. 6000 mph vs 600 for an airplane or cruise missile opens opportunities. The payload is plenty large to bring down a house and the kinetic energy alone will make it a small bunker buster.....especially with an uranium tipped warhead |
| Posted by: Mike Hunt 2010-02-05 13:39 |
| #4 If you put it down the chimney, a hundred pounds is sufficient. These items can go down the chimney. Problem is, as the jarheads said when battleships were mothballed, we'd like to see support when the rounds cost less than the target. |
| Posted by: Richard Aubrey 2010-02-05 13:29 |
| #3 Or eliminate certain turbaned leaders in hiding. 6000 mph vs 600 for an airplane or cruise missile opens opportunities. The payload is plenty large to bring down a house and the kinetic energy alone will make it a small bunker buster. |
| Posted by: ed 2010-02-05 12:22 |
| #2 Probably looking for early strike capability for AA, Command & Control, Comm, infrastructure assets prior to air strikes. Get them before they move or shut off. |
| Posted by: tipover 2010-02-05 12:14 |
| #1 100-200 pound payload doesn't sound like much. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2010-02-05 11:35 |