On 3/4/2014 8:34 AM, F.O.A.D. wrote:
On 3/4/14, 8:24 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/4/2014 8:03 AM, F.O.A.D. wrote:
On 3/4/14, 7:55 AM, Poco Loco wrote:


You really are dense. Setting up a U.S. missile defense system in Poland
and the Czech Republic and shooting down Russian missiles is not a
shooting war? What would you call it?

What is the definition of a "defensive" or anti-missile system?
I guess in your view Poland and the Czech Republic should just suck it
up and take the hits if a shooting war ever broke out.



I guess I'll have to read up on our ability to shoot down the sort of
sophisticated missiles with decoys the Russkis have. Last time I read
about this, the success rate was...small. I don't think we are talking
about slow moving cruise missiles here, eh?


There are several currently deployed systems including the Aegis missile
defense system, Patriot missile defense system, Harpoon missile defense
system plus ever-evolving electronic countermeasure systems. One of the
newest to be deployed is a shipboard laser system that evolved out of
another program called ABL.

The company I had played a very minor but contributing role to the
development of laser based anti-missile systems. Some are brought to
production and deployment. Some are developed to a point of feasibility
under risk reduction programs but then put on the shelf for future use,
if and when required. An example is the ABL or "Airborne Laser". We
built the thin film vacuum deposition system for the key optical
elements during the development of this system. It was tested, worked
but funding was withdrawn for deployment in 2010. The technology exists.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w-ql8msl0U