quote:
Originally posted by Aude Sapere:
Would not Diego Garcia make more sense than Poland? Look, the Czech government changed and did not want them there. Poland will kick sand in Russia's face any chance they get, voici the result: a split decision, with the judge, the USA deciding for Russia.
When did any ICBMs ever get launched to test Star
Wars? Shoot, they barely could get the stupid near worthless Patriot missiles to shoot down the giant bottle rocket SCUDs once in a while, they would have been better off with a spotlight and antiaircraft guns like London in 1941!
Starwars was a gigantic boondoggle sponsored by the Republican Party for their paymasters Raytheon, Boeing, etc. and not much more. How many freaking ICBMs launching and leaving trajectory on target with MIRVs does one need to chalk up "success?" It ain't called MAD fer nuttin' ya know.
Diego Garcia is located off the southern coast of east Africa. Typically, ICBMs are supersonic and our interceptors are not. To stop missiles approaching Europe, the interceptor missiles must approach from the oncoming path of the missile. From Diego Garcia, it could not catch the ICBM. The nations previously part of the Iron Curtain nations and now part of Russia's near abroad may hate the Russ and wish to defy them, but do so at great peril. especially, with a weak president in the White House.
We've launched several target ICBMs towards Kwajelein Island where the first test batteries were stationed. Most were successful. At present, the batteries in Alaska and California are three stage versions. The interceptors planned for Poland were two stage and were still undergoing tests.
The original Patriot missiles were designed to shoot down aircraft. That they were able to shoot down any missiles was pure serendip. The newer improved Patriot 3s do a much better job, but they are not designed to shoot down ICBMs.
The spotlight/AAA battery combination protecting London shot down few bombers. Their flack couldn't reach them. The fire was mainly to keep the bombers high up so their accuracy would be less. RAF fighters were the main weapon against German bombers.
MAD was a success. The USSR is dead, but their inhabitants, as well as ours, are alive. And, some what freer.