4 ms·

Orbital bombardment capability. Very little early warning compared to a ballistic launch. Various treaties prohibit having weapons in orbit, but X-37B provides

Orbital bombardment capability. Very little early warning compared to a ballistic launch. Various treaties prohibit having weapons in orbit, but X-37B provides the capability without actively having to have such a system deployed. Why would the US military specifically need it I'm not sure, but having the option is probably a good thing for them.

kjkjadksj 2y ago
Aren’t subs even faster? You could literally sacrifice the sub in a harbor and have about a half second notice.
- gpderetta 2y ago
  I'm certainly not an expert on nuclear brinkmanship:). I only know that orbital nuclear bombardment capabilities is something that nuclear states desire but are MAD-destablizing enough to have been ruled out via treaties. I assume the problem with subs is prompt communication. Also they are more of a retaliatory strike weapon thank first strike capability.
dylan604 2y ago
By launching the orbiter with a weapon, would it not be breaking said treaty?
- gpderetta 2y ago
  By that time you launch an armed X-37B you are probably already in your underground nuclear bunker and do not care about treaties. A better objection is that a single one is not going to make a difference, and having a big fleet ready to launch is going to raise eyebrows.
  - dylan604 2y ago
    Launching an X-37B at the point of hostilities is no different than just launching ICBMs. You would need this imaginary fleet of X-37Bs already in orbit similar to having parts of the submarine fleet at sea at all times.
    - gpderetta 2y ago
      X-37B has been to space many times without triggering a retaliatory strike. As I mentioned, of course having a fleet would be different. This might simply be about having the capability on stand by even if there are currently few scenarios were it would realistically be usable.
      - cryptonector 2y ago
        > X-37B has been to space many times without triggering a retaliatory strike. But not "at the point of hostilities", as GP put it.
Dah00n 2y ago
>Various treaties prohibit having weapons in orbit, but X-37B provides the capability without actively having to have such a system deployed. "States shall not place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies or station them in outer space in any other manner;"

kjkjadksj 2y ago

Aren’t subs even faster? You could literally sacrifice the sub in a harbor and have about a half second notice.

gpderetta 2y ago
I'm certainly not an expert on nuclear brinkmanship:). I only know that orbital nuclear bombardment capabilities is something that nuclear states desire but are MAD-destablizing enough to have been ruled out via treaties. I assume the problem with subs is prompt communication. Also they are more of a retaliatory strike weapon thank first strike capability.

dylan604 2y ago

By launching the orbiter with a weapon, would it not be breaking said treaty?

gpderetta 2y ago
By that time you launch an armed X-37B you are probably already in your underground nuclear bunker and do not care about treaties. A better objection is that a single one is not going to make a difference, and having a big fleet ready to launch is going to raise eyebrows.
- dylan604 2y ago
  Launching an X-37B at the point of hostilities is no different than just launching ICBMs. You would need this imaginary fleet of X-37Bs already in orbit similar to having parts of the submarine fleet at sea at all times.
  - gpderetta 2y ago
    X-37B has been to space many times without triggering a retaliatory strike. As I mentioned, of course having a fleet would be different. This might simply be about having the capability on stand by even if there are currently few scenarios were it would realistically be usable.
    - cryptonector 2y ago
      > X-37B has been to space many times without triggering a retaliatory strike. But not "at the point of hostilities", as GP put it.

Dah00n 2y ago

>Various treaties prohibit having weapons in orbit, but X-37B provides the capability without actively having to have such a system deployed. "States shall not place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies or station them in outer space in any other manner;"