Redstone-Developed Missile Unstoppable

WHNT-19 TV ^ | 7/25/03 | Steve Johnson

[RightWhale]

One LOSAT would have penetrated the building and basically ripped it apart.

One LOSAT would have made two holes 5 inches in diameter. One on each side of the building. Want ventilation in the hot Iraq summer? Open a couple windows.

[pierrem15]

The system is mounted on a humvee,

I talked somone who saw video of a test launch from a Humvee. Apparently, this thing uses a lot of fuel to get moving quickly. So much so that the back-blast blew the windows out and set the vehicle on fire. The driver stumbled out, smoking, looking like Elmer Fudd after Bugs stuck his carrot in the barrel.

So there are a few bugs to work out :-).

[Yasotay]

As a former TOW Company Commander, I can tell you, without reservation, the LTC is wrong about many things.

The TOW's shape charge would be far more useful in a MOUT environment. The kinetic energy of the LOSAT would probably only put a couple of holes in the building. The TOW HUMVEE can also carry 7 rounds vs 4 for the LOSAT. The thermals on the TOW HUMVEE also seem to be far more flexible. The TOW can rotate 360 degrees ....not so for the LOSAT. We also mounted SAWs on our HUMVEEs. With the LOSAT you still have to wait 3 years. Given a choice I'd take the TOW every time!

[csvset]

Neato!

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[pierrem15]

Well, looking at the video, maybe its fixed. Although, it didn't look like this vehicle had someone in it.

[freebilly]

WHOOOAAAA!!!!!!

[TheBattman]

It depends - how much security clearance does Hillary have?

When will the next RAT wind up in the White House?

[Ken H]

Could this weapon be used by aircraft such as the Warthog or AC-130?

Are there benefits to this model over current aircraft missiles such as Hellfire?

[csvset]

Speaking of the Hellfire, it has a new and improved warhead.

NAVAIR DESIGNS and BUILDS A MORE POTENT HELLFIRE WARHEAD

[Ken H]

Very impressive. The Hellfire sure lives up to its name.

[JSteff]

"I wonder how long it will be before some a-hole sells the technology to China?"

That is easy to answer... the next democratic president.

[an amused spectator]

What's with the wire-guided thing? Is there a reel attached to the TOW missile that allows the gunner to steer the thing to target?

[Moose4]

There are situations where this BFB (Big Freakin' Bullet) kinetic projectile would be really good--it'd make a hell of a good bunker buster, the sheer release of energy from slamming through a concrete wall at Mach 5ish might make life unpleasant for the people inside. But at the same time, like you said, all this thing would do to a brick building is punch through and keep going.

It's like the difference between a FMJ bullet and a hollowpoint. The metal-jacketed bullet doesn't deform as much and keeps its energy so it can penetrate. The hollowpoint transfers its kinetic energy to the target as it spreads, so it's more useful against "soft" targets. Sounds like that analogy might hold in comparing the hypersonic kinetic projective vs. the TOW or Hellfire--with the added bonus that the TOW/Hellfire blow s**t up real good.

}:-)4

[NewRomeTacitus]

That music?

It sounds, for some reason, like Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits) guest-gigging on a Springstein song.

Really now, does anyone know who that is?

[elbucko]

The 109 pound missile travels at mach five, and on impact releases enough kinetic energy to literally make metal catch on fire.

It's a rocket powered rock.

[PhilDragoo]

LOSAT operator, how may I help you?

I left my keys in my tank.

We can fire a LOSAT at it and open it right up.

You can do that? Great.

One moment, sir.

vroooooomka-BOOM

Your tank is open, sir.

Fantastic.

Anything else we can do for you today?

No, I think that'll get it. This LOSAT is great stuff.

Well, thank you, sir, and thank you for using LOSAT.

[DoughtyOne]

Thank you for the comments.

[Yasotay]

Yes .... I saw a wire break once and the missile went totally haywire.... it is also slow, 17 seconds to 3,750 metres. There are many disadvantages to the TOW, but it is a darn god weapon.

[July 4th]

Ouch - that was outstanding!

[Yasotay]

I agree .... kinetic energy is a wonderful thing .... While I would not want to 'test' the physics behind a concrete wall ... the 'spaulding' (sp) effect is not the same as against steel.