If they can be acquired and retargeted, missiles have the distinct disadvantage of having to endure almost every vibrational mode in their structural integrity as their mass is constantly changing. This implies that it only take s a very slight destruction of their structural properties in one area of their span to result in the missile tearing itself apart in catastrophic failure.
I've always suspected the Columbia space shuttle failure was more due to a laser strike on say a 3" to 6" portion of the structure than to improper design and fabrication.
Of course it might not be the best strategy to destroy the missile on the launch pad when its a demonstration, instead of waiting for the proper time and place for an attack that might tip your hand of your capacity.
Of course it might not be the best strategy to destroy the missile on the launch pad when its a demonstration, instead of waiting for the proper time and place for an attack that might tip your hand of your capacity.
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I much agree with that.
Too bad too few in power are that reasonable.
Sabotage on the ground might also be a way to do this - or use a stealth weapon where the enemy might have trouble determining if the destruction on the ground was caused by saboteurs or some weapon fired from a distance.
Example would be causing an explosion of the rocket fuel farm used to fuel the rocket. Knowing a way to cause the rocket fuel to explode without being able to trace why it exploded might cause embarrasment for the rogue state (North Korea), and still protect how.
The TV series Alias would suggest a number of ways, but also something that could penetrate defenses undetected (UAV) and cause this to happen.
I guess the short of my response is that it is harder to hit a moving target (missile in flight). But that does not make it impossible...
In the case of this test firing, there is a lot of concern that this missile must fly over Japan or some other country as part of the test. Destroying it just as it leaves North Korean airspace or on the ground might have advantages.
I imagine there are a number of different computers around the world analyzing this situation just because of the complexities and the possible ramifications - as well as the human resources required...