Airborne ballistic missile defense?

[Henry J. Cobb]

Why not use the E-10A

http://globalsecurity.org/org/news/2003/030818-military767-01.htm

to spot incoming ballistic missiles and then have an interceptor
dropped from a B-52 hardpoint to engage the target?

As the B-52 will already be several miles high it reduces the rocket
booster power needed in an interceptor and an airborne radar can see a
bit further than one on the surface giving a bit of extra warning.

The entire operation can fly at 500+ mph to defend any spot on Earth,
limited only by midair refueling.

-HJC

[Keith Willshaw]

"Henry J. Cobb" > wrote in message
om...
> Why not use the E-10A
>
> http://globalsecurity.org/org/news/2003/030818-military767-01.htm
>
> to spot incoming ballistic missiles and then have an interceptor
> dropped from a B-52 hardpoint to engage the target?
>

Because a search radar isnt a target illuminator and there are already
better early warning assets.

> As the B-52 will already be several miles high it reduces the rocket
> booster power needed in an interceptor and an airborne radar can see a
> bit further than one on the surface giving a bit of extra warning.
>
> The entire operation can fly at 500+ mph to defend any spot on Earth,
> limited only by midair refueling.
>

And the fact that it wont work.

Keith