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ICBM launches can be detected by satellite. A nuclear powered cruise missile could be launched undetected from anywhere (because of its near unlimited range). I
by rpiguy 7y ago
ICBM launches can be detected by satellite. A nuclear powered cruise missile could be launched undetected from anywhere (because of its near unlimited range). It will eventually show up on radar when it gets close enough to the target, but these also have nuclear warheads on them so it doesn't need to get super close to kill a lot of people.
This sort of thing isn't just for Russia to deter the United States. China is their best "frenemy" and this sort of thing helps contain China as well.
- LargoLasskhyfv 7y agoHow does this detection work? By infrared? Visually looking for the streak of glowing exhaust? Wouldn't the exhaust, even if only superheated air from a (nuclear) scramjet be comparable, at least in infrared? I'd bet the globe is crisscrossed by infrared trails of civil aviation already, for the eyes of such satellites. But doesn't matter, because tagged by ADS-B, or whatever. So benefit is speed to target by avoiding climbing up suborbitally, maneuverability , and not to be as predictable as some oldfashioned ICBM, with its purely ballistic trajectory.