NEWS: Latest Missile Defence Test Fails

The latest test of the United States Missile Defence system failed when the interceptor missile did not launch. This was the second straight failure for the system. Early indications are that the failure was with the ground support system, not the missile itself, which was the case with the Dec 15th failed test.



This is more fodder for critics of the system. I believe the success rate of tests now stands at 5 for 9, or slightly over 50%...not a very good rate for a system like this. This failure will also not help Bush convince Canadian Prime Minister Martin to jump on board this project as Marting has previously stated he won't invest in a system that does not work.

What you don't hear about are the mini kill vehicles that already could be circling in orbit, the usa army has the kind of budget to have at least 3 horses in the race, if one screws up, the other will arrive at the finish...

Lets even throw some conspiricy touch for entertainment: deliberate failure, shutting down this program, reprogram the funds to the more succesfull black project....


[edit on 14-2-2005 by Countermeasures]

We just witnessed another mircale. God bless you all.

The so-called "smart pebbles"? orbital interceptor vehicles, each about the size of a golf bag, with only rudimentary sensors of their own? Requiring a "hutch" from which to launch from and receive targetting data through? Which in return required an interface with the massive data gathering/target calculating infrastructure that was the downfall of the SDI program?

If they're up there, they're impotent. Even worse, they only work for coast-phase intercepts anyway. Worthless for boost phase or any sort of in-atmosphere work.

We oughta be more concerned with the supercavitating "Squall" torpedoes, instead. That's a technology that isn't closely watched, and the Russians have been making available. Remember the Kursk?

Originally posted by Countermeasures
What you don't hear about are the mini kill vehicles that already could be circling in orbit, the usa army has the kind of budget to have at least 3 horses in the race, if one screws up, the other will arrive at the finish...

Lets even throw some conspiricy touch for entertainment: deliberate failure, shutting down this program, reprogram the funds to the more succesfull black project....


[edit on 14-2-2005 by Countermeasures]