Weapons of Precise Destruction: How snipers in the sky might...revive the practice of assassination

Technology Review ^ | 5/10/02 | Richard A. Muller

[LibWhacker]

I love it! I wonder if it would be worthwhile to have something similar (with AI, powerful real-time imaging systems, etc.) that was also 1) stealthy, 2) nuclear-powered, and 3)armed with lasers?

If so, I'd love to park a squadron or three of them over each of Baghdad, Western Pakistan, Tripoli, Damascus, Teheran, Gaza, Beijing, Paris, Havana, Pyongyong (just to name a few), for months on end, rotating in new squadrons to replace the old ones as they need servicing.

[LibWhacker]

I want to maintain as much a lead over them as possible. Despite being almost as vicious and irrational as arabs and muslims, troops of baboons somewhere on a beach in Africa are not much of a threat to us.

If it were up to me, I'D DENY THE SOBs KNOWLEDGE OF THE DAMNED WHEEL!

I don't want the b***ards even to get in the batter's box, much less first base.

[steve-b]

While I agree with the intent of this article, one can hardly consider the HELLFIRE missile as a "sniper" weapon. Granted, it is very accurate, but it's shaped charge warhead is capable of killing the heaviest known or projected armor. It is not capable of killing one person while leaving the one standing next to him unharmed. Most snipers can do that.

That could be done, if desired, by replacing the explosive warhead with a terminal guidance package (basically turning the missile into a big smart bullet).

Making that sort of impression on the Bad Guy's nearby lieutenants (and probable successors) might be more effective than blowing them up -- the technology allows either option.

[DugwayDuke]

There is no need to replace the shaped charge warhead with terminal guidance. There is a variant known as Hellfire/Longbow that replaces the laser seeker with terminal guidance package. This does little to enhance accuracy but does provide a fire and forget capability. Both have the same warhead. The laser guided Hellfire missile is the US Army Aviations preferred precision attack missile and is one of the most accurate systems available. Even if you removed the warhead to limit collateral damage, it is still a rather large mass travelling at significant velocity.

[shaggy eel]

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,,, sounds like a good scheme.