Long-Range Conventional Precision Strike: Taiwan’s Post-Nuclear Deterrent?
Taipei has been quietly working on a conventional deterrent that lacks much of the nuclear option’s controversy.
thediplomat.com
The article notes "The balloons are very agile," which, given they're not describing them as powered, I'd interpret as potentially meaning in altitude, in which case they can probably hop back and forth between winds in different directions in different altitude bands to remain roughly in the one area.The use of balloons is novel, though I assume you have hope the wind is at your back.
It's not really new, it dates back to WWI, possibly even early.The use of balloons is novel
There's an old video of a Nike Hercules test taking out a balloon at 150,000 feet.It's not really new, it dates back to WWI, possibly even early.The use of balloons is novel
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRj_EzQPd9o
Yeh Gods, what a Rube Goldberg device.The Vertical launch system based Mid-Range Capability system that is currently being produced (prototypes) for a FY-23 delivery to the Army.
Yeh Gods, what a Rube Goldberg device.The Vertical launch system based Mid-Range Capability system that is currently being produced (prototypes) for a FY-23 delivery to the Army.
Yeh Gods, what a Rube Goldberg device.The Vertical launch system based Mid-Range Capability system that is currently being produced (prototypes) for a FY-23 delivery to the Army.
Fair, but honestly if they can throw together an entire mid range capability inside a three year window using off the shelf missiles, trailers, and containers, I'll be impressed despite the Frankenstein look of it.
Oh that simple.You'd think it would be easier to mount four or five cells on one of these. I'm sure they have their reasons but damned if I can figure them out.
View attachment 666078
These are Mk57-sized cells (the nearest missile is sized for a Mk41 cell:Oh that simple.You'd think it would be easier to mount four or five cells on one of these. I'm sure they have their reasons but damned if I can figure them out.
View attachment 666078
length.
Those Hempts loads max out at around 20 feet long.
Which is about as long as a Tomahawk or SM6.
But you still need an added five feet or so for blast direction and general packing for rough terrian bullshit. Like remember that the Air Force's ground launch tomahawks needed a 30 foot trailer for that reason.
A Saturn V would take 100,000lbs a hell of a lot further than 200 miles.That's all that was missing in the Vietnam war arsenal: a Saturn V turned into a ballistic missile...
Well there was a proposal to turn the Aerojet General 260” solid into an ICBM carrying 150,000lbs payloadA Saturn V would take 100,000lbs a hell of a lot further than 200 miles.That's all that was missing in the Vietnam war arsenal: a Saturn V turned into a ballistic missile...
Don't recall the details. Scott L has them (what there is anyway).Well there was a proposal to turn the Aerojet General 260” solid into an ICBM carrying 150,000lbs payloadA Saturn V would take 100,000lbs a hell of a lot further than 200 miles.That's all that was missing in the Vietnam war arsenal: a Saturn V turned into a ballistic missile...
I have a graphic of the proposal on my old laptop I’ll do some diggingDon't recall the details. Scott L has them (what there is anyway).Well there was a proposal to turn the Aerojet General 260” solid into an ICBM carrying 150,000lbs payloadA Saturn V would take 100,000lbs a hell of a lot further than 200 miles.That's all that was missing in the Vietnam war arsenal: a Saturn V turned into a ballistic missile...