In article ,
(Vivtho87700) writes:
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.

Well, there's Command-Guided SAMs, and Command Guided SAMs. The
Wasserfall and Schmetterling were basically radio-controlled model
rockets (Well, big model rockets), with all tracking and guidance
taking place in the Missile Pilot's head, and with the Missile Pilot
steering the missile directly. The SA-3, and similar systems are
quite different. In those cases, the missile is guided by commands
sent by a computer fed by a tracking system. That tracking system may
be an autotracking radar, a manually tracked radar, or an
Electro-Optical system (TV camera, either normal, Low-Light, or IR).
The missile is tracked by a radar beacon in the missile itself, which
is usually powerful enough to burn through any jamming. The computer
takes the tracking info, compares the missile position to its intended
trajectory, and sends the necessary steering commands to the missile.
The only humans in the loop are those manning the tracking system.
Command systems, in general, can thus work on only Azimuth/Elevation
data for the target, rather than the ideal Azimuth/Elevation/Range
data. That is, as long as you have a reliable proximity fuze on your
missile. That's a lot harder than it looks. U.S. Nike Ajax and Nike
Hercules missiles, and the Soviet SA-2 (At least) and
Wasserfall/Schmetterling used a detonation signal from the ground to
trigger the warhead. (The Germans were never able to dope out a
workable proximity fuze. Acoustic? Don't make me laugh!). This is
pretty much workable with radar tracking in range, and a
fast-responding automatic system to send the warhead command
(Milliseconds are priceless) Human reaction times for manual
triggering are much, much too slow.

Sort of an Apples and Pomegranates comparison.
--
Pete Stickney
A strong conviction that something must be done is the parent of many
bad measures. -- Daniel Webster