Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

US to deploy hyper-missiles
The Observer (U.K.) ^ | 11/14/04 | Robin McKie and David Smith

Posted on 11/13/2004 7:04:14 PM PST by Pokey78

Anywhere on Earth could be targeted 'within two hours'

American scientists are developing hypersonic cruise missiles that will fly 10 times faster than current rockets, penetrate concrete armouring and could be launched from any site in the world.

The missiles would have a range of 9,000 miles, more than a third of Earth's circumference and be able to reach their targets within two hours. First prototypes are expected to be tested next year, though the missile is not expected to be deployed until the end of the decade.

'If someone is messing with us - or Britain - from far away, we could whack them straight away,' said Preston Carter, an aerospace engineer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, in California.

The new missiles will exploit supersonic combustion ramjet - or scramjet - technology. Nasa engineers will tomorrow attempt to fly a robot X-43A scramjet over the Pacific at speeds around 7,200 mph, 10 times the speed of sound.

The flight will be crucial in demonstrating the feasibility of hypersonic travel. Most media attention has focused on its commercial exploitation for jets that could travel from London to Sydney in two hours. The prime aim is to create hypersonic rockets that would replace current cruise missiles.

'The new missiles could strike pretty much anywhere within a couple of hours,' said Graham Warwick, Americas editor of Flight International . 'Current cruise missile have to be carried on a B52 bomber. That involves planning and takes at least 24 hours. The military want a quick solution, so if they knew bin Laden was sipping coffee at a cafe they could get a bomb on target in two hours.'

Scramjets work on the same principle as all jets, by igniting fuel in compressed air and using the expanding gases to propel the aircraft. Standard turbojets use fans to compress the air: scramjets use a plane's forward motion alone to bring air into the combustion chamber and require an initial boost from a rocket.

The entire aircraft then becomes an enormous scoop that receives air which is compressed and injected - and ignited - with a chemical called silane before hydrogen fuel is added. The feat compares to 'lighting a match in a hurricane', says Nasa.

'We'll see a military application initially as a "bunker buster" that would hit its target and bore into the ground before exploding,' said Carter.'

'We are talking about the ability to strike more cost-effectively. If the US has to deploy troops to the other side of the world, it is expensive. This may keep enemies in check and act as a deterrent.'


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cruisemissiles; defense; miltech; missiles
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061 next last

1 posted on 11/13/2004 7:04:14 PM PST by Pokey78
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
Reach out and touch someone....

LVM

2 posted on 11/13/2004 7:05:43 PM PST by LasVegasMac (If it ain't smoked, it ain't worth puttin' on the table!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
'If someone is messing with us - or Britain - from far away, we could whack them straight away,'

Cool.

3 posted on 11/13/2004 7:07:00 PM PST by Jorge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
Preston Carter

I almost fainted, I thought it said President Carter...

4 posted on 11/13/2004 7:07:52 PM PST by zahal724 (I own a lumber company? Want some wood?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
I hope this article gets lots of play in europe...the ignorant, uncouth, unilateral cowboy loose cannon is getting some new toys.
5 posted on 11/13/2004 7:08:56 PM PST by CWOJackson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78

BTTT


6 posted on 11/13/2004 7:09:26 PM PST by Fiddlstix (This Tagline for sale. (Presented by TagLines R US))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78

West coast folks can look for circular puffs of smoke in the sky. That is the signature of scram-jets.

Of course you won't see them. Probably launched well out over the Pacific.


7 posted on 11/13/2004 7:09:33 PM PST by Khurkris (That sound you hear coming from over the horizon...thats me laughing.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: zahal724
I almost fainted, I thought it said President Carter...

LOL! Same here.
8 posted on 11/13/2004 7:11:06 PM PST by Tealc (Mail me if you want on or off my Jaffa, Kree! ping list)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78

Awwwww...for Christmas I was holding out for a spaced based laser that could zap a terrorist training camp in 10 milliseconds. Sigh, maybe next year...


9 posted on 11/13/2004 7:11:16 PM PST by Enlightiator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
I'd like to see it fly against the Navy's Phalanx system.

http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/weapons/wep-phal.html

10 posted on 11/13/2004 7:14:38 PM PST by SteveMcKing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78

Mikemoore: you can run but you cannot hide!


11 posted on 11/13/2004 7:16:18 PM PST by eagle11
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Khurkris

"the ignorant, uncouth, unilateral cowboy loose cannon is getting some new toys."

LOL, BTTT


12 posted on 11/13/2004 7:16:18 PM PST by JeffersonRepublic.com
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: CWOJackson

Neat new toy!

How fast can we target Paris?

NeverGore :^)


13 posted on 11/13/2004 7:17:51 PM PST by nevergore (“It could be that the purpose of my life is simply to serve as a warning to others.”)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78

Interesting!

Can we test them on Iran and Syria?


14 posted on 11/13/2004 7:21:32 PM PST by FairOpinion (Thank you Swifties, POWs & Vets. We couldn't have done it without you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Enlightiator

"Awwwww...for Christmas I was holding out for a spaced based laser that could zap a terrorist training camp in 10 milliseconds. Sigh, maybe next year..."

Check this laser out. Bush is getting some new toys.


http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/abl/pics-clips/wng2wng.html


15 posted on 11/13/2004 7:22:06 PM PST by JeffersonRepublic.com
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78

Hurry up guys, we could use'em.


16 posted on 11/13/2004 7:25:09 PM PST by SeaBiscuit (Continue to crush MSM, Liberals and sKerry, they are a threat to America.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
"Current cruise missile have to be carried on a B52 bomber. That involves planning and takes at least 24 hours. The military want a quick solution, so if they knew bin Laden was sipping coffee at a cafe they could get a bomb on target in two hours.'

Scramjets work on the same principle as all jets, by igniting fuel in compressed air and using the expanding gases to propel the aircraft. Standard turbojets use fans to compress the air: scramjets use a plane's forward motion alone to bring air into the combustion chamber and require an initial boost from a rocket. "

I think the authors need to do a little more homework. In the second paragraph above, they describe a ramjet. They leave out the distinction that Scramjets use a supersonic airstream for combustion.

Also cruise missiles can be launched in just about any manner imaginable. They are not limited to air-launch by b-52.

17 posted on 11/13/2004 7:26:00 PM PST by Oblongata
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SteveMcKing

At 7200 mph, I doubt that the Phalanx would even see it.


18 posted on 11/13/2004 7:26:37 PM PST by sd-joe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: JeffersonRepublic.com

airborne Laser scud buster. Neat!


19 posted on 11/13/2004 7:26:51 PM PST by Enlightiator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78

20 posted on 11/13/2004 7:33:35 PM PST by Nick Danger (Boom shaka laka laka)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson