Laser Defense Not a perfect weapon (toxic chemica…
Laser Defense
Laser Defense
As early as November 2002, the Navy demonstrated an ascent-phase intercept capability using an SM-3 launched from USS Lake Erie (CG 70) to intercept a SCUD-like target vehicle launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, as MDA test FM-4, codenamed Stellar Viper. The test objectives and knowledge points gained were set forth in the contemporary…
In order to accurately discuss ballistic missile defense we need to ensure a common base understanding of the fundamentals – the physics, technology and classification of ballistics missiles and their flight regime. Definition – Ballistic Missile: A missile that is guided (powered) in the ascent portion of a high arch-trajectory and freely falling in…
If news reports coming from South Korea and echoed through the West are to be believed, North Korea is moving towards another attempt at launching a Taepo Dong – 2 IR/ICBM, ostensibly as a space launch vehicle (SLV). This would be the third such attempt, with previous attempts in July 2006 and Sept 1998 ending…
It began in 2001. Crude, homemade and unguided. Indiscriminate as to objective or target – not meant to do anything but inspire terror. It has a name – صاروخ القسام‎ á¹¢ÄrÅ«kh al-QassÄm; Comprised of a  simple steel rocket filled with explosives, powered by a homebrew mixture of sugar and potassium nitrate (fertilizer) with warheads made…
As if the 29 April statement from the DPRK Foreign Ministry wasn’t provocative enough, comes the latest missive dated 29 May (full statement here): As long as the UNSC fails to respond to the DPRK’s just demand, the DPRK will not recognize any resolution and decision of the UNSC in the future, too. Third, if…
Press Report: No Conventional TRIDENT: Defense News, February 1, 2007. Pressure from Capitol Hill has derailed Pentagon plans to refit nuclear-tipped Trident missiles with conventional warheads, which will force the U.S. military to seek more expensive ways to perform the prompt global strike (PGS) mission. Lawmakers worry that placing conventional warheads on the Tridents could…