[ex 98C MI Dude]

Radar operations and maintenance (both surveillance and auto-tracking) is what I do. I have even tracked the ISS in occasion. Catching that bad boy in the gate when its moving at 17K mph is a lot of fun. A ballistic missile moves at around 9K mph at max speed, by way of comparison.

I will say again, that is a contrail of a jet aircraft. That ‘plume’ starts in cloud/haze on the far horizon, not the ocean, and the aircraft travels from west to east toward the observer. It is moving far slower than a ballistic missile would at that stage after launch. Matter of fact, it is moving exactly at the speed of a transoceanic 4 engined jet. It only looks like the ‘plume’ starts at ocean level because of the curvature of the earth. You'd be amazed at how much of a curvature correction has to be computed while tracking a target a mere 200NM away.

The start of the contrail is at 30+K in altitude, which is why it exhibits all the characteristics of being influenced by high altitude winds. That cannot happen at the surface. The aircraft also was fighting those winds, requiring multiple small course corrections northward to keep proper heading. It can be seen in the contrail. A large front was bearing down on the coast at that time, which is why it looks so strange.

[eyedigress]

I see it going west and I am a 407L myself.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

Cruise missiles have jet engines...

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

Please explain about transponders, the lack of flight data for the object, and that there are no other visible contrails in the world’s busiest airspace.

Also tell me how you can determine wasn’t an errant old German V-1 type of missile with a jet engine.

I only saw one trail, not two or four like commercial jets always have...

Please elaborate for me....

[justa-hairyape]

That ‘plume’ starts in cloud/haze on the far horizon, not the ocean, and the aircraft travels from west to east toward the observer.

Nope. Look at the lighting on the plume in the closeup video. Arcing westward to the setting sun.