can the launch of an armed warhead, aimed at us, be detected immediately by satellite, with this news automatically setting off a chain of events that causes that warhead to be blown up by one of our destroyer missles?
i remember ronald reagan proposing such a defense system, but that his proposal never got anywhere.
by now, we know that north korea could effectively hit our western states with its nuclear warhead. if it sent up such a missle, how would we blow it up over the pacific?
then, if it were in the mid pacific, what radiation fallout dangers would exist, and exist for how long? what would the ramifications be to seafood harvesting?
what is the truth?
2007-02-13 19:20:19 · 9 answers · asked by Louiegirl_Chicago 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
The US has three anti ballistic missile systems 'in service' and one more in development.
First is National Missile Defense. This is a system of large interceptor designed to intercept ICBMs outside the atmosphere. Interceptor missiles are positioned in Alaska and California.
Next is Navy 'upper tier' missile defense. This is a system designed to provide theater defense against medium and intermediate range missiles (And a rumored capability to intercept ICBM warheads after they enter the atmosphere).
The third system is 'Patriot Missile defense.' This is designed to defend a smaller area (such as a city) against medium and intermediate range missiles. There are discussions on modifying this missile to provide a 'last ditch' defense against ICBM warheads that may make it past the other two systems.
The system under final development is the THAAD missile. this missile would perform the same mission as the navy missile only be launched from land instead of a ship.
There are also several other technologies being developed. For more information see the following link.
2007-02-14 04:57:32 · answer #1 · answered by MikeGolf 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We do have missle defense systems and actually working laser anti-missle systems. there is not a complete coverage system but realistically we don't need one.
Their are missles, both land and ship based that track and destroy incoming missles. There are also laser systems both functioning and still in development that can destroy a missle from hundreds of miles and be mounted in jet aircraft.
Radiation from a Mid-Pacific blast would be carried by wind and dropped over the entire USA and the world, hawever it wouldnt be any worse than the effects of 1950's testing.
2007-02-13 20:36:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes and No because the USA does have some very talented missels. Yes the USA knows when most missels are fired becquse they know where most are. Remember I said most.
Yes it would be very likely if only one was fired at us it would be shot down. More than that would be a real problem. Several and one would surely get to its target.
Also anyone fireing such a rocket would face the rath of our military. That nation quite likely would no longer exist.
There are too many IFs and BUTs so enjoy life and tomorrow will be a new day.
2007-02-13 20:10:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
We have MANY defense systems. They can hit 'em from underground, under the ocean and from above the atmosphere. Oh, don't worry, Russia has them as well. You really don't believe the worlds two super-powers would give that up, do you?
Honey, they let those things go, you can put your head between your knees and kiss your hinny good-bye. You won't have to worry about food...you'll be too sick to eat it.
But don't be concerned. That's why the arms are limited to Russia and the US. We've see what that explosion and fallout would do...and we won't use them unless it's a last resort.
As a side note...North Korea just signed a treaty with the UN and the US and they are going to be disbanning their nukes. Go to www.whitehouse.gov and read all about it or listen to and watch the actual video of Tony Snows press conference. Also if you go onto the front page news of Comcast.net, you can listen to them talk about it. Just to add also, that project Icuras is still up there. Even though they said they banned Star Wars, they just gave the old project a new name. So, WE have the power.
Go to this website: http://fas.org/spp/starwars/program/nmd/
2007-02-13 19:29:32 · answer #4 · answered by chole_24 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Reagan's plan dubbed "Star Wars", never got off the ground. It was mainly bluff which worked amazingly well. USSR could not compete with that and that is what caused the downfall and splitting up of the old USSR.
We have been testing missile defense systems over the past year but I don't believe we had had much success with it so far.
But don't worry, if one hits close to you, you will melt so fast you won't even realize what happened.
2007-02-13 19:28:58 · answer #5 · answered by Kye H 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We would have to deal with radiation. We do have a missle defence system but it isn't that accurate and it isn't that big.
2007-02-13 19:26:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
They sure can try and will try....
Now just for the timing...
They'll get there soon.
2007-02-13 19:29:36 · answer #7 · answered by babbles 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well lets see...............
THEY COULDNT'T SHOOT DOWN A BOEING HEADED FOR THE PENTAGON, WITH OVER 50 MINUTES TO DO SO AND WITH ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE ONLY 11 MILES AWAY So my answer would be no!
2007-02-13 19:24:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
I dont think that anyone has that information.
2007-02-13 19:41:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋