[Cletus.D.Yokel]

F = M × A.

Rods the size of conventional hypersonic missiles are too small to be of such destructive force.

[txhurl]

I’m talking about very limited (50’x50’) damage while APPEARING to have sent 1000’x1000’ messmakers.

[edzo4]

how big is a bullet?

F = M X A

The force stays the same as long as every time you reduce the M you increase the A by equal amounts..

So a 50lb weight travelling at 10ft/sec2
will hit with the same force as a 25lb weight travelling at 20 ft/sec2

In other words the smaller the projectile the faster it has to move to be effective, a bullet won’t kill you if I throw it at you.

[xone]

Rods the size of conventional hypersonic missiles are too small to be of such destructive force.

And jet propulsion is inadequate to reach the speeds necessary for the effects desired. However, conventional explosives boosted with rocket power behind a penetrator head and an ablative cone could do some damage.

That would leave a smoke trail however.