Article

2008-08-16 Science & Technology

Non-Nuclear Warhead Urged for Trident Missile

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Posted by Pappy 2008-08-16 00:04|| || Front Page|| [3 views ] Top

#1 Rods from God would provide a much quicker and more powerful conventional response.

Wiki on Kinetic Bombardment
Moreover, space supremacy can probably be converted to air and sea supremacy. As an example for discussion, consider the system this author has described under the name "THOR". Thor consists of orbiting steel rods perhaps 20 feet long by one foot in diameter. They contain minimal terminal guidance capability, and a means of locating themselves and their targets through GPS. They can strike fixed targets with CEP approaching 25 feet. Few elements of air and naval power are invulnerable to bombardment by kinetic energy weapons from space. No ship can withstand the impact of 20 feet of steel rod at velocities greater than 12,000 feet per second. Airfields wont fare much better.

Posted by 3dc 2008-08-16 00:38|| 2008-08-16 00:38|| Front Page Top

#2 Rods from God would provide a much quicker and more powerful conventional response.

Trident has two things your 'miracle weapon' doesn't: It's here and now.

Get back to me when it's in production, 'kay?

Posted by Pappy 2008-08-16 00:48|| 2008-08-16 00:48|| Front Page Top

#3 ...requested by Congress...

Should ring alarm bells right there...

Posted by PBMcL 2008-08-16 02:10|| 2008-08-16 02:10|| Front Page Top

#4 The false alarm factor shouldn't be understated.
Rods from God would be a nice Sword of Damocles to hold over rogues too.

Posted by bigjim-ky 2008-08-16 11:22|| 2008-08-16 11:22|| Front Page Top

#5 Nope. The Missile industrial complex has had a hard-on for this type of warhead for years. There is nothing that this thing could do, that an F-18 or B-2 couldn't. Yet, it would put everyone's finger on the nuclear launch button if it were ever used. Nice concept, not worth it.

Posted by rammer">rammer 2008-08-16 12:02|| http://216.69.151.141/blog/?p=419]">[http://216.69.151.141/blog/?p=419] 2008-08-16 12:02|| Front Page Top

#6 CondorMan, you still gotta expend the energy to get those projectiles in position, energy best used to launch a larger warhead in a conventional parobola. Orbital mechanics (greasy f@@kers each and everyone) is best used for surprise. Up quick, down quicker. Franktional Orbit Bombardment System, but that's only useful with a nuke warhead. (not that there's anything wrong with that).

Posted by .5MT 2008-08-16 17:53|| www.cybernations.net]">[www.cybernations.net] 2008-08-16 17:53|| Front Page Top

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