super61 0 Posted February 21, 2008 Any hear if the two "merged" successfully? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rambler 1-1 9 Posted February 21, 2008 (edited) I heard that it was delayed because of high seas. They couldn't launch the missile. Edited February 21, 2008 by Rambler 1-1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Dave 2,318 Posted February 21, 2008 They hit it, just heard in the news. http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/02/20/s...down/index.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rambler 1-1 9 Posted February 21, 2008 you mean I missed it? apparently it was visible from here. I'd have liked to have seen that. report from NASA: "OH CR@P! THAT WASN'T THE SATELLITE! THAT WAS THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE!" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted February 21, 2008 Since this was only 130 miles up, I think the Hubble is safe! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ezlead 42 Posted February 21, 2008 Well,do you suppose that THEY(The countries that would like to shoot at us)got the message? I still think it was PR for our missile defense system. Anyway,Good Shootin',Navy!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Jarhead1 27 Posted February 21, 2008 The guys that design the thing and test it and build it are here right next door to my shop. Awesome bunch of guys Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Typhoid 231 Posted February 21, 2008 and a Great Navy BMD Morning it is! I wonder what phony excuse all the BMD nay-sayers will fabricate now to keep us all undefended against meglomaniacs with nuke missiles? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Viggen 516 Posted February 21, 2008 and a Great Navy BMD Morning it is! I wonder what phony excuse all the BMD nay-sayers will fabricate now to keep us all undefended against meglomaniacs with nuke missiles? Probobly saying that just becuase it hit a satallite doesn't mean it will hit a re-entry vehicle. Should be interesting though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Syrinx 13 Posted February 21, 2008 "They" are saying it was a highly modified system, custom built for this job. Then they would say that...wouldn't they. (this according to a USN spokesman on Sky News). Still, good stuff ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Corktip_14 0 Posted February 21, 2008 Probobly saying that just becuase it hit a satallite doesn't mean it will hit a re-entry vehicle. Should be interesting though. Yeah, and a one-piece falling satellite with a previsible trajectory is not exactly the same as a multiple nuke launch, equiped with MIRV and decoys... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted February 21, 2008 It's true that they had to upgrade the equipment on the ships to do this, but I believe it was more because they were shooting at a "cold" target that hadn't yet started reentry or had any passage through the atmosphere. Usually anything you're trying to shoot down will shine in the IR band due to those factors. Other than that, the SM-3 system has had BMD in its plan for years now. Besides, whether or not it could do it before, it CAN do it now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Typhoid 231 Posted February 21, 2008 Yeah, and a one-piece falling satellite with a previsible trajectory is not exactly the same as a multiple nuke launch, equiped with MIRV and decoys... roughly equivelant to the threat the current BMD is designed to defend against. (NOT Russian) we did just fine during the Gulf War (using less capable missiles against less capable missiles). The process is essentially the same, the technology is further out and faster. But no-notice launch and computation of the threat and intercept is all old-hat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
