What we know about a mysterious launch from Florida this week — The Pentagon is mum about this test launch from Cape Canaveral::The Pentagon is mum about this test launch from Cape Canaveral.

  • Buelldozer@lemmy.today
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    1 year ago

    The US military has successfully flown hypersonics before

    Yes they have but only air launched. Incredibly they claim to have air launched a hypersonic boost / glide vehicle that maintained above Mach 5 that was controlled all the way into it’s target. The HBGV part is interesting but the remote control at above Mach 5 is shocking if you know enough physics. Wish I could find the article on this test again.

    But, if they were going to test something like that, Canaveral wouldn’t be the best place to do that.

    The Army and Navy seem to think it is.

    • Rapidcreek@reddthat.com
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      1 year ago

      As the Ukrainians have proven, you may think that hypersonics are a big deal but you can shoot them down if you know where they are going to be.

      Canaveral is a USAF base and very small. Lots of eyes make their money watching the space coast. Whereas Vandenberg is a USAF base with some very stout security.

      • jscummy@sh.itjust.works
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        1 year ago

        That’s because those aren’t true hypersonics, which would require some maneuverability at those speeds. If it follows a straight trajectory it’s not too hard to intercept

        • Rapidcreek@reddthat.com
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          1 year ago

          That’s when you get into your physics problem. There are only a limited amount of meuverability at those speeds though an atmosphere

      • Buelldozer@lemmy.today
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        1 year ago

        The Kinzal is crap, it’s an IRBM modified for air launch, comparing it to a true Hypersonic Boost Glide Vehicle is like comparing a Harley to a GSX-R100R.