Russia's New Nuclear Missiles

[grooble]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20041117/ap_on_re_eu/russia_nuclear_weapons<br /><br />Supposedly will render US Missile Defence obsolete.<br /><br />

 

[Grok]

I hope this doesn't lead to another arms race. I thought we were finally getting along with Russia.

 

[scottb50]

Maybe they already have scram-jets. Use one with a nuclear payload, launched on an existing booster, or drop one out of Space and it could maneuver extensively and stay real fast and high until it reaches a target. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[Grok]

We would just shoot down the existing booster. Isn't that what first light is all about?

 

[scottb50]

Lot's of luck, you've got about 6-7 minutes from when it is launched. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[grooble]

There is a story on the laser jets on the front page. But there is no way they could scramble them quick enough to be useful. What is needed is a global network of laser sattelites, capable of interceptin launches anywhere in the world within minutes. <br /><br />Or Peace.

 

[Grok]

Well, that's the existing plan for the missile sheild. Strap a high powered laser under the wings of a plane and fly it around North Korea waiting for a rocket to appear. Once a rocket appears, shoot it down while it's still in booster phase. I don't know how Russia hopes to get around that difficulty. If we really succeed with the plan, they would have to have a new delivery system that didn't rely on boosters. Maybe they're going to have stealth nukes. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[yurkin]

Maintaining Russia strategic deterrence is costly. A few dozen of these Advanced ICBMs could do the job for substantially reduced cost.<br /><br />Not only that but the threat of exporting these missiles gives Russia a major bargaining chip. It would be a lot cheaper to buy the Russians off then it would be to develop an anti missile system capable of defeating this threat.<br />

 

[scottb50]

I still think FedEx and UPS offer a pretty reliable delivery system. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>