Air Launched ICBM? BAE's Sweet Design.

gf0012-aust

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
divyansh said:
the strategic implication of air launched ICBM are immense. they are
1. the platform will always be in the states own airspace
2. SAM system cant target these platform as they are outside there range
.3. they are immune to any first strike nuclear attcks
4.they can be on a constant patrol in the states own airspace thus avoiding detection as there is a chance of ssbn to be detected on patrol at high seas
5.they are in constant linked mode that allows them to perform a retaliatory strike immediately :cool::cool::cool:
Click to expand...
1) no thats not the case, you're making an assumption that the launch platform will only launch from within sovereign space
2) incorrect, SAMs are also part of the broader COP where they are but a node in the sensor space, the SAM can and do get targetting feeds from other COP elements. That includes TACOP/SACOP
3) no they're not
4) incorrect, OTHR, SWR can and does track aircraft - including some generations of VLO in any space
5) how and where is the evidence

I'd suggest that you not make claims which are not accurate and present them as fact - especially when some of us in here deal in COP and track management capabilities.
 
W

Waylander

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
Well in big countries like the US or Russia all this can be achieved by truck or even train mounted ICBMs much easier.

And that's exactly what Russia is doing since decades. As long as you don't catch the trucks before they leave their base it is nearly impossible to find and desotry them all in the vast wilderness of Russia.

I see no advantage of plane based ICBMs compared to the systems which are already in service.

It is much easier and cheaper to keep a fleet of trucks running around than keeping the same number of planes in the air.
 
M

My2Cents

Active Member
divyansh said:
the strategic implication of air launched ICBM are immense. they are
1. the platform will always be in the states own airspace
2. SAM system cant target these platform as they are outside there range
.3. they are immune to any first strike nuclear attcks
4.they can be on a constant patrol in the states own airspace thus avoiding detection as there is a chance of ssbn to be detected on patrol at high seas
5.they are in constant linked mode that allows them to perform a retaliatory strike immediately :cool::cool::cool:
Click to expand...
  1. OTH radar systems in place were developed to find and track such targets. Because of the way the long wavelength used by these systems interact with the aircraft stealth technology does not appear applicable, as discussed elsewhere on this board. So far there does not seem to be any equivalent for finding SSBNs, except vastly expanding the SOSUS net.
  2. Aircraft are high maintenance. Probably 1/3 to 1/2 of the fleet will be on the ground at any given time, and therefore vulnerable to a first strike. It is extremely unlikely that they can launch their missiles successfully when not airborne.
  3. While current SAM systems do not have ranges over 600km, by the time this system could be fielded there will probably be robotic interceptors available with much greater ranges. It may also be possible to adapt existing cruise missiles designs for the job of shooting down such a large, slow, aircraft, especially if nuclear armed.
  4. The radiologic implications of a crash, due to the huge quantities of missile propellant present, will in all likelihood severely restrict the area of operation for such aircraft in peacetime.
 
Twinblade

Twinblade

Member
divyansh said:
the strategic implication of air launched ICBM are immense. they are
1. the platform will always be in the states own airspace
2. SAM system cant target these platform as they are outside there range
.3. they are immune to any first strike nuclear attcks
4.they can be on a constant patrol in the states own airspace thus avoiding detection as there is a chance of ssbn to be detected on patrol at high seas
5.they are in constant linked mode that allows them to perform a retaliatory strike immediately :cool::cool::cool:
Click to expand...
I would expect carefully hidden silos, rail/road transportable launchers, and submarines to have a longer life expectancy than air strips in the case of first strike. I see no advantages other than lower launch costs.
 
K

kato

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Why confused about that?

In order to achieve orbit, you need to gain a certain velocity to defy gravity pulling you back down. For low-earth orbit this value is about 7.8 to 8.0 km/s.

Shooting something to a couple hundred km altitude is easy. Making it gain the speed to achieve orbit is what separates a SLV from an ICBM.
 
G

Gryphon

New Member
OSC Pegasus shows why

lucinator said:
while were on the topic of fantastical aircraft, why not put the ICBM on a large balloon/blimp.
Click to expand...
Pegasus

Orbital Sciences has been operating what could easily be adapted to this role since 1996 with 40 successful launches out of 40. Slapping a fairing on an old wide body yields much more flexibility and capability.
 
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