Quote:
Originally posted by Cowperson@Nov 3 2004, 05:40 AM
Captain Crunch can correct me, but most likely if you're worried about a rogue state and if this is a technology aimed at protecting America from those rogue states, then you're probably not worried about MIRV at this point.
They probably haven't advanced technologically for that option.
So . . . . . you're most likely looking at one rocket with one warhead, a significantly lesser challenge.
And they probably don't have cruise missile technology.
Again, the techno's in the crowd can correct me if I'm assessing that wrong . . . .
Cowperson
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Its unlikely that a country like Iran or North Korea, or any other fringe member of the Nuclear Club is going to have a Mirv system. Its not that thier complicated to build. Its just that you need a very high thrust rocket that can lift the additional weight. Plus the target geometry is extremely complicated.
The missile shield is there to knock down a very simple single warhead low boost system in limited number. IE the launch of one or two rockets.
A Russian advanced system with lets say a dozen Mirvs and advanced counter measures (IE Chaff dispensors, rotated speed. will likely not get all of the warheads through but some of them will get through
A Fobs system will get through because there is no pre warning launch and its unlikely to be picked up on a early warning system til its about 30 seconds from impact.
A advanced country will find a way through. A country with a very rudimentary system and limited vehicles will not get through
Your right, a determined nation will find a way through. Smuggling a bomb in by sea or car, but thats not the job of a missile defense shield.
Its put in place to remove the blackmail aspect from North Korea, or Iran or China's playbook
ie (If you mess with us, we'll launch)
Its also easy to say that these beginner countries don't have the range to nuke the U.S. But North Korea does have a missile vehicle that can reach the california coast with a very light warhead