Simulated Attacks Repelled In Antimissile War Game

Washington Post ^ | March 17, 2004 | Bradley Graham

[neverdem]

U.S. Almost Exhausted Arsenal of Interceptors

SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo., March 16 -- In a war game run here Tuesday, a country resembling North Korea launched six ballistic missiles at the United States and put to the test an antimissile system modeled after the one being developed by the Bush administration.

The size of the salvo threatened to exhaust the U.S. arsenal of long-range interceptors, which was set at six in the game. When one of the interceptors missed, role players who were standing in for chains of authority stretching from the U.S. president to firing crews were confronted with the possibility that they might not have enough remaining interceptors to save both Anchorage and Boise, Idaho, and would have to choose one of them to protect.

As things turned out, all the enemy missiles were destroyed in flight -- two were hit very early after launch by an airborne laser system -- and a Sophie's choice was averted.

But the simulation highlighted the potential complexities facing U.S. officials as they consider how they intend to use the national antimissile system that, in its most rudimentary form, is scheduled to begin operations later this year.

[neverdem]

BTW, science includes military science.

[Sir Gawain]

[TBall]

That was my favorite Atari game.

[SedVictaCatoni]

the possibility that they might not have enough remaining interceptors to save both Anchorage and Boise, Idaho, and would have to choose one of them to protect

My guess would be: pick Anchorage. Boise's farther away from North Korea, so there's a greater chance of the missile over/undershooting its target and hitting the wilderness instead.

[katana]

Tough choice. Oil or potatoes.

Speaking of spuds, Happy St. Patricks Day!

[eno_]

Without oil, no fries.

[katana]

If it undershot Boise, Seattle might get hit. Makes me think of the rooftop gunman scene in the first Police Academy film. "Hmmmmmm, hmmmmm".

[katana]

Good point. I guess we'll just have to do without San Francisco.

[Constantine XIII]

What do these goobers want exactly? It is fairly obvious that is better to save Anchorage OR Boise, rather than letting both get nuked in order to avoid a tough decision.

Frankly, if Dear Leader decides to lob half a dozen ICBMs our way, I'd rather stop half than none!

[neverdem]

BANG

[neverdem]

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all. Thanks for the reminder.

[jpsb]

Target the one that you have the best chance of hitting. Reduce the posibility of a miss.

[Teacher317]

confronted with the possibility that they might not have enough remaining interceptors to save both Anchorage and Boise, Idaho, and would have to choose one of them to protect.

JohnKerry's solution: scrap the program, and pay for more social programs to tend to the dead and wounded afterwards.
George Bush's solution: buy and build more interceptors. The hard decision is now a moot point.

[TYVets]

"JohnKerry's solution: scrap the program, and pay for more social programs to tend to the dead and wounded afterwards. "

John Kerry says,,,, he will take steps to do something or maybe he will not take steps. Kerry states he will reach his decisions today, tomorrow, the day after....... and the day......... on all sides of the issue.

[FierceDraka]

I repel simulated attacks all the time. And my counterattacks are positively genocidal...

http://www.eagames.com/pccd/cc_generals/home.jsp (opens in new window)

[John Jorsett]

What would NK be targeting in Boise?