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Redstone-Developed Missile Unstoppable
WHNT-19 TV ^
| 7/25/03
| Steve Johnson
Posted on 08/12/2003 6:54:28 PM PDT by Log
Huntsville Redstone-Developed Missile Unstoppable
Steve Johnson Reports, 7/25/03
It's called LOSAT, Line of Sight, Antitank. It's a missile that uses no explosives, but can take out any known tank, and any tank that can be foreseen. It has been developed at Redstone Arsenal.
According to the Project Manager of Close Combat Weapons Systems, Col. Lloyd McDaniels, "It gives us the leap ahead in technology to actually be able to defeat anything a potential adversary can give us on the battlefield." LOSAT works by speed and mass. The 109 pound missile travels at mach five, and on impact releases enough kinetic energy to literally make metal catch on fire.
The destructive force of a LOSAT missile is impressive. Earlier this week the Army used ten TOW missiles to destroy a fortified house in Iraq. According to Col. Mike Beasock who works with infantry soldiers who will use LOSAT, "One TOW wouldn't do it. One LOSAT would have penetrated the building and basically ripped it apart. So ten to one, we'd prefer to use a LOSAT in something like that."
LOSAT is just the latest weapons system developed at Redstone Arsenal, but this one has soldiers excited. The system is mounted on a humvee, and is intended to be used by light, mobile units. It would allow them to leave the 70 ton tanks behind, and be more than a match for any enemy armor.
LOSAT is expected to be fielded by 2006, with the 82nd Airborne the first unit to receive what many consider, an unstoppable weapon.
TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; US: Alabama
KEYWORDS: antitank; army; losat; miltech; missile; redstone; tank; tow; utah
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Looks like an interesting weapon.
1
posted on
08/12/2003 6:54:28 PM PDT
by
Log
To: Log
Sweet.
2
posted on
08/12/2003 6:55:58 PM PDT
by
CWOJackson
(The World According to Garp isn't that bad when compared with The World According to Todd.)
To: Log
I wonder how long it will be before some a-hole sells the technology to China?
3
posted on
08/12/2003 6:56:17 PM PDT
by
csvset
To: Log
Cool!
4
posted on
08/12/2003 6:57:12 PM PDT
by
Pokey78
To: Log
Wonder if the Chinese have the specs on it yet...
5
posted on
08/12/2003 6:57:13 PM PDT
by
VeniVidiVici
(There is nothing Democratic about the Democrat party.)
To: Log
Great offensive weapon, but can a Humvee take a hit? I didn't think so.
6
posted on
08/12/2003 6:57:21 PM PDT
by
glorgau
To: Log
i saw this weapon in soldier of fortune years ago. it's basically a big needle fired at high speed. the kenetic energy that is released when the needle hits and pearces the armor generates enormous heat resulting in a very bad day for people and amunition contained within.
To: Log
bttt
To: Log
I don't see how you use this weapon on a house in a city environment. I think it's a great weapon, but it'd basicly pass through about twenty homes before coming to rest IMO.
This doesn't just penetrate and explode. Isn't it the impact on a hardened target that releases the kenetic energy?
Using this on a tank, a bunker, a hillside might be great, but not on an in-town house type structure.
Can someone eplain why I might be wrong here?
9
posted on
08/12/2003 7:02:15 PM PDT
by
DoughtyOne
("He's baaaaack!" Now is he on our side or the side of the (political bigger is better) machines.)
To: VeniVidiVici; csvset
Wonder if the Chinese have the specs on it yet... I'm sure some POST 9/11 visa student is sending plans over as we speak.
To: Log
11
posted on
08/12/2003 7:03:37 PM PDT
by
Sloth
("I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!" -- Jacobim Mugatu, 'Zoolander')
To: Log
12
posted on
08/12/2003 7:04:28 PM PDT
by
csvset
To: *miltech
To: Log; CWOJackson; csvset; Pokey78; VeniVidiVici; glorgau
This is a stupendous test shot of the LOSAT (Line of Sight Anti Tank missile). It's being launched off of a HUMVEE, which carries two loaded canisters on each side (4 missiles total). The commander/gunner can acquire and track three targets simultaneously, and engage one. Since the missile is hypervelocity (5000 feet per second), and has a maximum range of 5 kilometers, it doesn't take long to reacquire and engage the next two targets. The missile carries a kinetic kill warhead and penetrates all known or projected armor; it is 5 times more lethal than today's hottest tank round. It is also air droppable by parachute and can be sling carried by helicopter. Turn up the sound and watch this baby burn in!
click for video
14
posted on
08/12/2003 7:06:41 PM PDT
by
WSGilcrest
(R.........9th generation Californiano)
To: VeniVidiVici
Beat me to it.
15
posted on
08/12/2003 7:06:55 PM PDT
by
dts32041
(So how do you like taxation with representation?)
To: WSGilcrest
I love that music...does anyone know the name of that song
To: DoughtyOne
The house referred to was reinforced concrete. It may well have been hard enough to cause the release of kinetic energy.
17
posted on
08/12/2003 7:12:09 PM PDT
by
em2vn
To: DoughtyOne
You are right, of course. The best way to attack an ordinary house with it would be to go for the foundation, (if it is a concrete slab) or else target the earth below the house, to release some of the energy upward.
To: All
19
posted on
08/12/2003 7:15:11 PM PDT
by
Bob J
To: Log
Which Chinese company will manufacture this thing for us?
20
posted on
08/12/2003 7:19:20 PM PDT
by
fso301
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