Quote from: Johnnyhinbos on 01/23/2017 02:04 pm(Could the title of this thread please be fixed? "Veered of course towards the US" is a bit misleading. Unless, off course, it was a politically motivated action...)I merely paraphrased what was in the original article I posted.
(Could the title of this thread please be fixed? "Veered of course towards the US" is a bit misleading. Unless, off course, it was a politically motivated action...)
The missile was converted into a test configuration using a test missile kit produced by Lockheed Martin that contains range safety devices and flight telemetry instrumentation.
I’m curious about the wording in Lockheed Martin’s press releases?QuoteThe missile was converted into a test configuration using a test missile kit produced by Lockheed Martin that contains range safety devices and flight telemetry instrumentation.So is it only under test conditions they can terminate a flight?
It made me think about something I hadn't before. As with any system, and especially rockets, we know there must be some failure rate. Does anyone know or have information regarding the expected/worst case failure rate in a full system deployment? Ie: if we somehow got to nuclear holocaust, how many would've never left our shores?
I believe the suggestion was to change the title to"British Trident missile tests veered off course towards the US"My emphasis shows the change that was intended [I believe]."veered of course towards the US" means the Royal Navy deliberately fired at the US.
Quote from: DavidH on 01/24/2017 01:40 pmIt made me think about something I hadn't before. As with any system, and especially rockets, we know there must be some failure rate. Does anyone know or have information regarding the expected/worst case failure rate in a full system deployment? Ie: if we somehow got to nuclear holocaust, how many would've never left our shores?No one knows. The number of strategic delivery systems able to response to an authenticated strike order depends on several factors. First someone have to be able to issue the order. Second the order have to be transmitted to a launch facility. Third the delivery system have to be able to launched. Fourth the delivery system have to withstand possible counter-measures post-launch and transit to to target. How many delivery systems one side think can get to them from the other side is the level of perceived deterrence for the other side.Strategic missiles are only a variable deterrence if periodically demonstrated to be functional in all phases of operation. Of course minus the warhead. A fail launch like the Trident will reduce the perceived thread from that delivery system.P.S. Think Jim is much more optimist than me in the number of delivery systems able to response to a strike order.
P.S. Think Jim is much more optimist than me in the number of delivery systems able to response to a strike order.
Quote from: DavidH on 01/24/2017 01:40 pmIt made me think about something I hadn't before. As with any system, and especially rockets, we know there must be some failure rate. Does anyone know or have information regarding the expected/worst case failure rate in a full system deployment? Ie: if we somehow got to nuclear holocaust, how many would've never left our shores?better than 90%. The warheads won't go off during launch failures. Interlocks based on air pressure and acceleration and deceleration will prevent it.
There's something simultaneously reassuring and worrisome about a rarely tested nuclear deterrent delivery system that might just cartwheel hilariously in its individual units and not make any significant contributions to doomsday, despite the overwhelming effectiveness of the system at large.
I can assume US, UK and French ballistic missile reliability is slightly ahead of any foreign counterparts that might prospectively be lobbing missiles back at them. Would be (academically) interesting to see the failure margin if such a - catastrophic - event was ever to occur. On such an occasion, how many missiles would experience launch failures? Twenty? Fifty?
Quote from: The Amazing Catstronaut on 01/25/2017 09:44 pmOn such an occasion, how many missiles would experience launch failures? Twenty? Fifty?Less than 5%
On such an occasion, how many missiles would experience launch failures? Twenty? Fifty?
Additionally, there is a Launch Area Support Ship monitoring the launch.