I find it hard to believe that laser systems are in some way inferior to conventional chemical-based munitions. — Wallows
What's to stop someone else from building their own SDI to take out your SDI system? And so on. — Terrapin Station
Huu? It's a defence measure, not an offensive one. And, the more SDI's the better for peace and prosperity. — Wallows
You build and launch a set of satellites equipped with laser weapons that can shoot missiles down so that they're not a danger. — Terrapin Station
You mean a surprise attack? — Wallows
the problem is, laser weapons that can shoot missiles down need something the size of three small bank vaults, and then call they can do is burn sensors out. It's not possible to put something into orbit even that powerful, or even in a ground vehicle. Currently they have to be carried on warships. — ernestm
What in the world? Where did I say anything that suggested "surprise"?
Empty your mind. Read what I wrote above slowly. — Terrapin Station
Yeah, I was wondering how they intend to power these weapons by air-combat defense systems... Secrets unknown. — Wallows
I wasn't commenting on whether an SDI system is currently feasible. Just the logic of it being an advantage given the assumption of present or future feasibility. — Terrapin Station
Your concept doesn't really make sense if you care about my opinion.
First, you would need offensive laser systems to shoot down your enemy defense system.
Second, you couldn't do this without giving away your intentions about the purpose of your "defense" system.
Third, you would need to invade the domain of your enemy due to the fact that no nation would allow your satellites to operate above your territory. — Wallows
Because Trident defense systems can also mount a nuclear attack, and an SDI system could not stop B2s dropping B61-12s, the 'logic' on whether to pursue SDI as a defense system has become null and void. — ernestm
Tell Wallows. He started the thread. — Terrapin Station
I did. And the first nuclear weapons for attacking N Korea, and Iran, and Syria, and the Balkans, and anyone attacking Gibraltar, not the least, could be ready in September. That's why Trump is in the UK getting a full military parade. — ernestm
That the SDI was a hoax to bankrupt the Soviets? — Wallows
sn't that a more specific idea than "the first nuclear weapons for attacking N. Korea . . ."? — Terrapin Station
You see, there is the issue of HOW you use a weapon and from what is the weapons platform. These are extremely important issues here. It's not comparing an electric motor to a gasoline motor.I find it hard to believe that laser systems are in some way inferior to conventional chemical-based munitions. It's like comparing an electric car to a gasoline on — Wallows
I don't know anybody at the Department of Defense, Mr. Tiahrt, who thinks that this program should, or would, ever be operationally deployed. The reality is that you would need a laser something like 20 to 30 times more powerful than the chemical laser in the plane right now to be able to get any distance from the launch site to fire ... So, right now the ABL would have to orbit inside the borders of Iran in order to be able to try and use its laser to shoot down that missile in the boost phase. And if you were to operationalize this you would be looking at 10 to 20 747s, at a billion and a half dollars apiece, and $100 million a year to operate. And there's nobody in uniform that I know who believes that this is a workable concept.
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