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To: Southack
"No, the "trap doors" are just the typical denials that are to be expected from the "we've always done it this way and ain't gonna change" crowd."

This sentence is beneath you...leave the HaterAde alone.

"There aren't any remaining technical hurdles. From Space, it is imminently possible to drop a GPS-guided bomb, fire a missile, take a picture, or whatever else that you want. Getting into Space cheaply has been an issue; no longer. Rutan's whole craft can be built (or copied/modified) for a measely $10 million."

All understood, however the concept you propose means actually carrying GPS guided bombs, Missiles or serveillance equipment with you....that being the case, the cost goes up exponentially. You have to install the computers that actually program the GPS munitions while aloft or do you intend on coding the strikes before you even take off? If so, what tactical good is it? Cant a cruise missile do the same for a much lower cost?

Hellfires require targeting hardware and software...how ya gonna put them on board and keep the platform cheap? If you do put those systems onboard, there goes your weight. If your weight goes then there is another reason you aint gonna be doing it cheap cause now you have to have engine[s] to get and keep the platform up there. Once again, there goes the price.

Sparrows, Amraams, etc etc all require targeting/aquisition computers....there goes your weight, there goes your cost.

C'mon Bro this stuff is overwhelmingly simple. You see it, you must or else some should ridicule you...

...humble yourself.

215 posted on 06/01/2004 3:28:22 PM PDT by VaBthang4 ("He who watches over Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps")
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To: VaBthang4; Pukin Dog
"All understood, however the concept you propose means actually carrying GPS guided bombs, Missiles or serveillance equipment with you....that being the case, the cost goes up exponentially. You have to install the computers that actually program the GPS munitions while aloft..."

A handheld PDA weighing 6 ounces can program GPS coordinates. A GPS bomb can already be dropped from sub-orbital Space.

Programming GPS coords and dropping a bomb weren't the technical hurdles. The hurdles, which Rutan has overcome, were going fast and high for cheap.

217 posted on 06/01/2004 3:33:37 PM PDT by Southack (Media Bias means that Castro won't be punished for Cuban war crimes against Black Angolans in Africa)
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