danderer@brahms.udel.edu (Dave Anderer) (03/13/91)
From: danderer@brahms.udel.edu (Dave Anderer)
One of the obvious 'heros' of the recent conflict was the Patriot in
an ABM role. A couple questions:
First, the 'high tech' graphics used on TV as a backdrop whenever
someone mentioned the word Patriot credited it a range of 37 miles.
Yet a lot of the intercepts we say on TV happened within 5-10 seconds
of launch. Taking a wild guess at a closure rate of about mach 6,
that translates to launching the Patriot when the Scud was only about
5 or 6 miles. Or at least that order of magnitude. I know the 37-mile
figure was no doubt under optimum conditions, but why were some many
intercepts at only about 20% of this figure? Seems too close for
comfort.
Second, what is special about the Patriot to give it ABM capability?
Is it at all reasonable to suggest modifying the Aegis/SM-2 pair
to do the same job? Seems you've got the phased array, the computing
power, command-link guidence...
--
Dave Anderer danderer@brahms.udel.edu (302) 451-8805
Instructional Technology Center, University of Delaware, Newark, De. 19716
"Sinners can repent; stupid is forever."