[OldMissileer]

Seen many missile launches? You think they are going Mach 5 from the get-go? Takes them a while to get even up to airliner speed. They do indeed look quite slow, and continue to look slow as they head farther away from you.

I have seen MANY launches. Back in the 70s I saw a Sprint air defense missile launch. That thing was FAST! Just like a small Estes rocket. Everything on-board the Sprint was made to withstand a 100 G acceleration. Yes, 100 Gs.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Thank you for your experience-based take on this. So you are as puzzled as anyone that this isn’t yet explained?

[GOPJ]

From what I understand, launching from a sub has unique problems ... Some of the original ideas underpinning sub launches came from circus acts - shooting a man out of a cannon. Doesn’t matter how much thrust you have on land - the ground’s not gonna give - but a sub is different...

[doorgunner69]

I know about the Sprint. Impressive rocket, but not relevant, as you know. Nothing other than an artillery round, followed by small anti-air SAMs has that sort of acceleration.

What is being tossed around here, is the possibility this was a heavy ballistic missile of some unknown type and size, not a purpose built interceptor. You know how slow those big guys take off, and how long it takes to get really moving.