| A C-17 recently air-launched a 50ft (unspecified?) target missile for THAAD to shoot down. I'm curious why they launched the target this way when land launched targets are the norm and probably less risky. It seems odd to go through this trouble. I'm wondering if the USAF isn't trying to get a bunch of experience with this method with the intent of fielding it with conventionally (or nuclear) armed warheads. Since Congress pretty well nixed putting conventional warheads on SLBM due to concerns they might be mistaken for nukes, I'm wondering if this is to be one of the USAF's alternatives for a rapid, time critical strike capability ? (link will follow) |
