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Missile defense in 2006: now more controversial than ever
The Space Review ^ | 01/30/06 | Taylor Dinerman

Posted on 01/31/2006 5:28:48 PM PST by KevinDavis

If the pronouncements of Iran’s leaders are anything to go by, they will be depending on their force of ballistic missiles as well as their terrorist allies to deliver the nuclear weapons they hope to build. While space-based intelligence satellites can help with the fight against terrorists, it takes active weapons to either destroy a missile on the ground or after it has taken off. There have been reports from some sources of dubious reliability that the Iranians are already moving their Shebab missiles every few hours to protect them from a surprise attack. Obviously if anything happens, the first thing they will do is launch as many as possible against Israel as well as American and other targets within range.

It is likely that before the US launches a campaign of air strikes against Iran’s nuclear capacity it will have to reinforce its missile defense forces throughout the region. This means that the Patriot PAC 3 units that performed pretty well against Saddam’s short-range missiles during the 2003 war will have to be redeployed to face a more challenging set of targets. They will be joined by Aegis-equipped cruisers and destroyers that now have a few SM-2 and SM-3 missiles with some useful defensive capability.

(Excerpt) Read more at thespacereview.com ...


TOPICS: Government; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: missledefense; space

1 posted on 01/31/2006 5:28:49 PM PST by KevinDavis
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To: RightWhale; Brett66; xrp; gdc314; anymouse; NonZeroSum; jimkress; discostu; The_Victor; ...

2 posted on 01/31/2006 5:29:14 PM PST by KevinDavis (http://www.cafepress.com/spacefuture)
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To: KevinDavis

We need missile defense BUMP!


3 posted on 01/31/2006 5:34:21 PM PST by BenLurkin (O beautiful for patriot dream - that sees beyond the years)
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To: KevinDavis
thanks

4 posted on 01/31/2006 5:35:26 PM PST by meanie monster (http://guptonator.myvideochat.net)
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To: KevinDavis; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; mhking; Memother; Alamo-Girl; chesty_puller; GRRRRR; Bigun; ..
Image hosting by TinyPic

5 posted on 01/31/2006 5:45:18 PM PST by ATOMIC_PUNK (The Death Penalty isn't for making examples it's for making bad people DEAD!)
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To: KevinDavis
Missle defense?

DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS

6 posted on 01/31/2006 7:00:49 PM PST by phantomworker (Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool...and don't accuse me of your imagination.)
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To: phantomworker
This may already be deployed somewhere in Israel:

The Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL)

It's for short range rockets but between it and the Patriot System, who knows?

7 posted on 01/31/2006 7:08:40 PM PST by Reaganesque
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To: Reaganesque

Directed energy weapons have minimal collateral damage. The weapon of the future...

Airborne laser can disintegrate a missile at its boost stage. It just passed ground tests. Shoot down is next.


8 posted on 01/31/2006 7:24:11 PM PST by phantomworker (Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool...and don't accuse me of your imagination.)
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To: phantomworker
According to one defense related website:

In August 2005, the ABL completed a series of flight tests demonstrating the performance of the beam and flight control systems. The COIL laser is to be installed in early 2006. The first prototype is scheduled for completion in 2006. A second system is being considered for 2008.

It's close to being ready, if this is accurate. The Global Hawk was rushed into early service in Afghanistan, why not this? I mean, the next step is to install the laser and test fire it; Why not test it on Iran? The laser is invisible so, no one need know if we used it and it failed. We shall see.

9 posted on 01/31/2006 7:45:10 PM PST by Reaganesque
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To: Reaganesque
Why not test it on Iran? The laser is invisible so, no one need know if we used it and it failed.

LOL!

10 posted on 01/31/2006 8:24:08 PM PST by phantomworker (Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool...and don't accuse me of your imagination.)
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To: Reaganesque
Now THAT is cool. I want one. Just think how fast you could get the charcoal briquettes ready for grilling steaks. Aw heck, forget the briquettes.
11 posted on 01/31/2006 8:34:15 PM PST by Colorado Doug (Diversity is divisive. E. Pluribus Unum (Out of many, one))
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To: KevinDavis

What a load. Missile defense is "controversial" but B.F.R. defense is OK? (Big F*cking Rock Defense)


12 posted on 01/31/2006 8:43:16 PM PST by Waco
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To: ATOMIC_PUNK

Thanks for the ping!


13 posted on 01/31/2006 10:05:29 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: KevinDavis
There have been reports from some sources of dubious reliability that the Iranians are already moving their Shebab missiles every few hours to protect them from a surprise attack. Obviously if anything happens, the first thing they will do is launch as many as possible against Israel as well as American and other targets within range.
Iran isn't going to sit back and wait to counterpunch. The mullahcracy will be making the first military move.
14 posted on 01/31/2006 10:11:49 PM PST by SunkenCiv (In the long run, there is only the short run.)
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