Successful Test of an "Unproven Missile Defense System"

[Mojoe77]

Source (http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/06/ap_thaad_062608/)

The U.S. military’s ground-based missile defense system destroyed a missile launched from an airplane Wednesday in the first successful test of the system’s ability to destroy a separating target.

The interceptor missile launched off Kauai had to differentiate between the warhead and the body of the missile before destroying it above the Pacific Ocean, according to the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.

This was the fifth successful intercept in five attempts since 2005 for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, the agency said. Another test in September 2006 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., was not completed due to a malfunction of the target missile, and no intercept was attempted.


The article goes onto say:

This was the 35th successful test in 43 attempts in the atmosphere and in space since 2001, according to the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. Since September 2005, the military has successfully completed 29 of 30 attempts.

This sounds like an unproven (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl32Y7wDVDs&feature=related) missile defense system to me (ignore the title of the video, comment comes at 0:13).

[DarkTalon]

lol, obama thinks he can rid the world of nukes.

[theC]

lol, obama thinks he can rid the world of nukes.

No he doesn't. He wants that to happen eventually, but he's not saying it can be done under his administration. He seeks to reduce the number of nukes which is exactly what McCain is proposing, albeit in a slightly different fashion.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f5a54c92-2c11-11dd-9861-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1

[bergshadow]

Let's suppose that the military is telling us the truth about a missile test for the first time ever.

Then we are a little safer from terrorists who decide to use an ICBM. If everything works perfectly in real life.

And we are more in danger from those factions of our own government who regard immunity from retaliation in kind as permission to take off the gloves.

VS Iran, say.

Of these threats, which is more serious ?

[chrisvet]

EIther obama had no idea of these sucessful tests; it just became public that previous tests were made; or he's full of shit.

I'll place my bets on the latter for the win.

[ROFLStomp]

Does this have anything to do with Star Wars, because that would be cool.

[wra]

Does this have anything to do with Star Wars, because that would be cool.

lol how very Reaganesque of you

[Father Max]

lol how very Reaganesque of you

That made me lol

[ROFLStomp]

lol how very Reaganesque of you

What the hell is that supposed to mean? :)

[dudeinanigloo]

No he doesn't. He wants that to happen eventually, but he's not saying it can be done under his administration. He seeks to reduce the number of nukes which is exactly what McCain is proposing, albeit in a slightly different fashion.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f5a54c92-2c11-11dd-9861-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1
I think that it's sort of hypocritical that the U.S., a country with a bigger nuclear arsenal than many other countries combined (http://www.cdi.org/nuclear/database/nukestab.html), is demanding that Iran cease its supposed nuclear weapons development. It's good to see some positive steps finally being taken in this regard.

What the hell is that supposed to mean? :)
Ronald Reagan envisioned a kind of "Star Wars" -like missile defence system for the continental US in the 1980's that was never implemented due to the technological limitations back then. As you just read, the preliminary tests for such a system are only now just beginning. Scary stuff.

[chrisvet]

Ronald Reagan envisioned a kind of "Star Wars" -like missile defence system for the continental US in the 1980's that was never implemented due to the technological limitations back then. As you just read, the preliminary tests for such a system are only now just beginning. Scary stuff.

Thats what they tell us. They're years ahead of what they reveal.

[ROFLStomp]

I think that it's sort of hypocritical that the U.S., a country with a bigger nuclear arsenal than many other countries combined (http://www.cdi.org/nuclear/database/nukestab.html), is demanding that Iran cease its supposed nuclear weapons development. It's good to see some positive steps finally being taken in this regard.


Ronald Reagan envisioned a kind of "Star Wars" -like missile defence system for the continental US in the 1980's that was never implemented due to the technological limitations back then. As you just read, the preliminary tests for such a system are only now just beginning. Scary stuff.

Oh yeah I know about the whole Reagan thing, I didn't know if he was making some snide comment (no hate :) ). Personally I never got the whole jist of it, but wouldn't the Star Wars program be able to shoot down any nuclear missile aimed at the U.S from space? Definately something to have, only problem is it was worth around a bijilkillion dollars.

[Boomer]

The most viable way of shooting down ICBMs is during their initial take-off stage. Once over the target area, the MIRVs will make interception extremely ineffective. I have said this before and will say it again, surface based anti-ballistic missile system is a dead end, while airborne laser will be the future.

[bergshadow]

Thats what they tell us. They're years ahead of what they reveal. In the past, what they revealed was years ahead of what they had actually accomplished.

They have lied about every single anti-ABM system they have ever tested.

Meanwhile, I'm still trying to imagine terrorists with ICBMs. The targeting, in particular, brings possibilities of genuinely dark comedy on a truly grand scale.

[Mojoe77]

In the past, what they revealed was years ahead of what they had actually accomplished.

They have lied about every single anti-ABM system they have ever tested.

Meanwhile, I'm still trying to imagine terrorists with ICBMs. The targeting, in particular, brings possibilities of genuinely dark comedy on a truly grand scale.

Does Russia or China ring a bell?