US plans 6,000mph bomber to hit rogue regimes from edge of space

(BUFDRVR) wrote in message ...
This vehicle is clearly sub-orbital since it moves at only 1/3rd of orbital
velocity.

Which brings up the issue of overflight rights. Up to what altitude is
recognized as a country's soverign air space? Seems pointless to make an
aircraft that can be based in the US so as not to rely on unreliable "allies"
for basing rights if these same "allies" will still need to be consulted for
overflight.



While it is sub-orbital it also would also have the ability to change
direction during its endo-atmospheric 'skips'. This might require a
supplemental fuel burn.

So in some ways it may be politcally less contentious than a ballistic
or fully orbital system since it will be truely manoevrable.

It's value as a reconaisance platform must be significant as well.

From: (The Enlightenment)
m

It's value as a reconaisance platform must be significant as well.

My guess, and it's only a guess, is that the plan is to ramp up technologies
that have already proven themselves in the recon role into a bomb carrying
platform.

I base my guess on the fact that the SR-71 has been retired, but that mission
profile still exists. There has to be something that has replaced it that isn't
public knowledge yet.
Dave

I base my guess on the fact that the SR-71 has been retired, but that mission
profile still exists. There has to be something that has replaced it that
isn't
public knowledge yet.

During Balkan campaign some of US military-technological capabilities were not
even known to top military leadership and they were not allowed to use them
during the conflict as they were not supposed to know them.(need to know rule))
This policy was the reason of some resentments in military circles after balkan
conflict.

"Denyav" wrote

During Balkan campaign some of US military-technological capabilities were not
even known to top military leadership and they were not allowed to use them

Right... I believe you!