It does look like a ballistic missile track and not a cruise missile launch. The Chinese have the new type 094 ballistic missile sub, I doubt they'd put a ballistic missile submarine at risk in American territorial waters, and frankly doing that and launching there would break a lot of pretty significant treaties.
The Russians only have the Typhoons with 2 in service, and the old Delta IV class boats. But again putting a boat within site distances of LA and launching missiles would break a ton of treaties, and goes against Soviet ballistic missile submarine doctrine.
The only other countries that could launch those types of missiles are France, and Great Britain, The Indian's are building their own ballistic missile class but it won't be ready for trials til later next year.
I'm betting this was an American down range test and the missile was self destructed.
__________________
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
I'm betting this was an American down range test and the missile was self destructed.
Apparently they launch and plant Minute Man ICBMs on those Pacific Islands pretty regularly.
Quote:
Today, Air Force's Minuteman weapon arsenal consists of 450 Minuteman 3 missiles located at bases in Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota, according to an Air Force fact sheet. The missiles are made of three distinct stages that, when assembled, stand about 60 feet (18 meters) tall and weigh 79,432 pounds (32,158 kg)
If it was an ICBM going up to 1200km, the contrail would have widely different intensity and colours due to different levels of sunlight reaching it.
I don't get it. If they see it so often, why are people in the area making such a fuss of it? And why wouldn't the CBS air crew (who shot the video), have seen it before?
Pretty cool looking, regardless.
__________________
"An adherent of homeopathy has no brain. They have skull water with the memory of a brain."
Radar Operator: Colonel, you better have a look at this radar. Colonel: What is it, son? Radar Operator: I don't know, sir, but it looks like a giant... Jet Pilot: Dick. Dick, take a look out of starboard. Co-Pilot: Oh my God, it looks like a huge... Bird-Watching Woman: Bird-Watching Man: (raising binoculars) Ooh, Where? Bird-Watching Woman: Over there. What sort of bird is that? Wait, it's not a wood, it looks like someone's... Army Sergeant: Privates. We have reports of an unidentified flying object. It has a long, smooth shaft, complete with... Baseball Umpire: Two balls.
(looking up from game) Baseball Umpire: What is that? It looks just like an enormous... Chinese Teacher: Wang. pay attention. Wang: I was distracted by that giant flying... Musician: Willie. Willie: Yeah? Willie Nelson: What's that? Willie: (squints) Well, that looks like a huge... Colonel: Johnson. Radar Operator: Yes, sir? Colonel: Get on the horn to British Intelligence and let them know about this.
__________________
You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life. Winston Churchill