"Jim Doyle" wrote in message ...
"Vivtho87700" wrote in message
...
I don't know about the effects of a frag warhead against a B-17, but I can
say
for sure that command-guided SAMs are still in use even today. For
example,
the SA-3 has a backup optical link to guide the missile to the target.
The
gunner (what else do I call him?) keeps a telescope pointed at the target
and
the correction signals are automatically transmitted to the missile.
Maximum
range is claimed to be 20 km against bomber sized targets.

Vivek Thomas

I was just thinking since a formation of B-17s or B-24s would be very
tightly packed for mutual fighter protection, a formation would be very
susceptible to a shot-gun style frag warhead on such a missile.

If the HS-117 was deployed operationally to protect Germany from large scale
bombing raids, how'd you defend against such a missile with '45 technology?
I guess the allies - Americans on their day raids most likely - would've had
to revise their heavy bombing strategy quite seriously.

Interesting about the SA-3, how successful was this backup system?

Jim Doyle

I suspect the lack of an efficient proximity fuse would likely have
been a serious limitation.

With the conventional fighter force of the Luftwaffe largely negated
by shortages of fuel and experienced pilots, to say nothing of the
overwhelming numerical superiority of the allied air forces, there was
relatively little real need to maintain tight formations, at least for
defence against fighter aircraft.

Robert Inkol