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To: Karl Spooner

The Russian hypersonic weapon, it seems, is an ICBM fired from an aircraft. It can go fast but it can’t really maneuver aerodynamically. Its a ballistic missile.


35 posted on 01/22/2024 9:20:23 PM PST by buwaya (Strategic imperatives )
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To: buwaya
The Russian hypersonic weapon, it seems, is an ICBM fired from an aircraft.

It has a terminal guidance system and some limited ability to maneuver during the end-phase. It comes in from high altitude at a steep dive angle, so it is hard to stop.

A battery of counter missiles may be able to break up the incoming attackers. The Russian weapon seems to be used in swarm on the target, so the defenders must deal with 5-20 incoming attackers.

It might be possible to break up the attackers at their cruising altitudes (50 km) with a laser or plasma weapon, if the attackers can be detected, and if there is favorable weather.

Directed energy weapons so far have a very low rate of fire and do not work very well in cloudy or hazy air conditions. Power supplies are very heavy, making the weapons most suitable for ground-based or ship-based installations.

Those systems must be portable and quick moving. Anything in a fixed location will be hit.

66 posted on 01/23/2024 8:50:52 AM PST by flamberge (We are living in those "interesting times" the elders warned us about.)
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