http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/THAAD I just heard about this on FutureWeapons (on the Discovery). Apparently in the last few years it's been successful in firing down ballastic missiles. It's been demeaned rather important to our defense agencies and deployment has accelerate to 2009 (from 2012). There's even rumors that Israel will be getting these defensive weapons as soon as that time . http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/808324.html So with these sort of defense systems, is it possible to nullify MOST threats from rogue states? And in the near future, do you think ballastic missile will be altogether nullified as a threat? To a point it gives me a level of optimisism that eventually they'll be enough technology to eliminate an all out nucluer war of sorts. It would still be bad for someone to use a dirty nuke, but ultimately the goal of humanity should be to nullify state-organized nucluer strikes. Thoughts?
Yeah, Rick, except that they are controlled and navigated by satellites. Remember what the Chinese just did?
Good point. Although any conflict with China must be avoided at all costs. Not to say we should let them do anything and everything (which I don't think they wish to do anyways),...but a conflict with them would be dire. We have much more to gain if we work together. My perspective is that NK, Iran, and Pakistan are worth keeping an eye on constantly. Other than Taiwan, I think the only thing that could spark Chinese anger is resources. America ought to thread softly in it's approach with China, and make sure that there's a sense of idealogical connection and direction in what we do. While their government is domestically oppressive in many ways, I think years from now it will loosen-up some, and it will mirror a Japanese-like ally. Perhaps I'm being a bit too optimistic, but I'm hopeful that China will not be our enemy. We as two economic powers can't go into that sort of conflict....nucleur or not.
Rick, I agree, but my point is not about China, it's about technology, and that particular genie is now out of the bottle.
Why not build ground based super-THELs to protect strategical points like Millitary bases and Large cities from any missiles?
I personally would not have an answer for that, also I would ask, though, why do our military satillites have to be the low orbiting kind?
It probably gives them better pictures. As far as China goes, I don't think that China would ever start a war with the U.S. Our economies depend on each other to survive. The manufacturing market of China needs a consumer market for its goods, and it seems like they know what will happen if they take us out. Besides, I don't believe they have a sufficient navy to actually launch an invasion, and they wouldn't risk nuclear fallout blowing back towards them. Iran and North Korea are a bit of a threat. Iran scares me, because Israel will "nuke them 'til they glow and shoot 'em in the dark" if they every announce that they have nuclear weapon facilties. North Korea will hopefully have a more sane leader by the time that they actually complete the rocket technology to deliver the nukes. A full navy blockade would completely destroy their few economies (drugs, counterfeiting, and weapons sales) and starving people would cry for action. One ambitious general would gladly start a revolution and it would all be over.
Future war will not rely on aerial missile , it will be fought using low flying land to land missile , water to land missile, it may also be programmed in such way that it can explode before US missile can destroy it, even if a nuclear bomb explodes at 2 km height of a city, it can annihilate most part of the city It may also so happen some in house terrorist get hold of a nuclear weapon and nuke a city