Posted on 06/02/2008 2:41:16 PM PDT by Paul Ross
I envision that we’ll put up numerous low cost satelittes if the chins or ruses start trying to interfere with asat systems. I’ll bet that our airborne laser systems will also be able to hit their satelittes also.
No problem... you are absolutely right. The 'B' is a larger airframe with more 'hard points' for weapons stores. (Shouldn't go off the top of my head like that.)
Potentially, yes. But the configuration for such would essentially be as expensive as replacing the S-3.
You would have a trade off in terms of interception speed (S-3) vs. loiter time (UAV). There likely is a strong case to be made for BOTH.
Not an either-or black and white decision. Which unfortunately the White House has not been good at.
I'm sure we have a modest capability to do so out of Vandenburg. But the real hazard is that the Chicoms are more likely to use a scorched earth policy...of creating a massive debris field in low orbit that will interdict any such replacements. They will be willing to sacrifice their own at that point just to keep us leveled.
I’ll bet that our airborne laser systems will also be able to hit their satelittes also.
Possibly. But we already know our Aegis SM-3s can hit them. And if we ever get around to deploying the AMRAAM-NCADE even an F-15 or F-22 could also.
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