Well, Red, I wasn't discussing the technical aspects of missile detection here - since my knowledge of it is very limited - but just replying to muawiyah's post.
1) If no radar sites are needed, then it totally voids muawiyah's argument that Canada has engaged in a "deliberate act of war".
2) If Canada is that ill-suited, why was it asked to provide for money for the missile shield, BTW ? I don't know if I prove my poor public education, but you sure are proving your poor manners.
3) Once again, I'm not discussing the technical aspects here.
4) Last time I checked , Germany was an advanced 1st-world nation, with an advanced economy and quite a lot of expertise in various technological fields, Red. But I know you prefer Russia.
What a great post, Red6. May I be the one to inform you that my Friend and our fellow FReeper Atlantic Friend is a French - and not German - citizen!?
Furthermore, you don´t need Northern territories to spy on us - you have a large facility right now in Rhineland-Palatinate, capable to tap electronically all phone talks and scan almost all e-mails for special word combinations. This facility allegedly also collects secret data from our companies - with full knowledge of the government. Your NSA is doing a good job. Too sorry that they had to leave with the US troops leaving my country (which is Germany). Can it be that this is another reason why you don´t leave? Ok, it´s a conspiracy theory, and actually not my style.
Next time you are insulting others, check their home-country, and check what your distinguished President says about their nation before you insult a whole people. I have something like "great and valuable friend" and "heart of Europe" in my ears from the last time he was here - oops, this was yesterday!
Before you continue to talk about specifics, but say you don’t want to talk about specifics read a little here (official site):
http://www.acq.osd.mil/mda/mdalink/html/mdalink.html
Here are some of the space-based systems:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/warning.htm
Ever since Curtis Lemay, the majority of early warning systems against ICBMs was space-based, not ground based. It works better that way.
Here is a good example of such a specific system:
http://www.meicompany.com/text/fact_sheets/Defense_Support_Program.PDF
More general information, but official sites:
http://www.losangeles.af.mil/SMC/PA/Fact_Sheets/sbirs_fs.htm
It works a lot better when you try to move a little closer to what you want to see. Placing a big radar on top of the target which needs to see things on the other side of the planet (The point here is early warning) is not the best answer. Hard to understand but true.
Ft Greely, a little south from my home Fairbanks AK is where interceptor missiles are emplaced already today. Trying to stop a N. Korean missile from the Northern Territories with such a system is not a good answer either, or what do you think? What about the China threat? You think Canada is more suited than Alaska, Hawaii or the Pacific?
Even your Germany falls into the same boat as the Canadians. “Oh no, you bad Americans are destabilizing the world and will cause a new arms race!” Your media and politicians a few years ago. At the same time you spouted all the BS you signed a contract to be about 25% part of the MEADS program (A missile defense shield).
Fact is, the Canadians are a near insignificant player in National Missile Defense. While being a bad neighbor is not the intent, they really don’t matter much in this respect, so why do they talk so much about it? It can only be driven by some internal/domestic political gain. Not for basing, paying, C2 (NORAD will run fine without the Canadians-it will end without the US), technology or anything else. It’s nice if they play along and contribute a little, it’s the “responsible” thing to do. They will be covered by this system which is necessary, even Germany knows this, hence PAC3 Patriot and MEADS procurement. However, national security after 1989 has taken a different position and many politicians are willing to play games today which 20-30 years ago they whould have never dared do.
Red6