US Army Completes First Test Flight of Mach 6 Weapon

Stirling Newberry writes "In a terse press release, the U.S. Department of Defense announced the first test of the the Advanced Hypersonic Weapon, which launches on a staged rocket and then glides to its target, in a manner similar to the Space Shuttle's re-entry. Earlier, ABC News posted a story with a video animation of the concept. Over at DefenseTech, they argue that the trajectory being different from an ICBM is meant to show that it is not a first strike device, but even the commenters don't think that explanation flies. The speed of deployment and the ability to strike targets without going high enough to be seen by many advance warning radars makes it a precision surprise attack weapon, a kind of super-cruise-missile for surprise, asymmetric attacks."

Not first strike!

[pablo_max]

It is clear that this is not a "first" strike weapon. The summation is correct, it is simply a "surprise" strike weapon. Which is OK, because, hey, who does not like surprises!?

Re:Not first strike!

[Anonymous Coward]

No, the real surprise is the surprise counter strike that comes before the initial strike!

Re:Stealth rockets

[Kronotross]

We may not have the best healthcare, education, economy, spaceflight resources, elderly care, poverty rates, or political climate, but you better believe we have all of the time, energy, and funding in the world when it comes to bombs. Maybe it's because it's one of the few things at which we're still number one. U S A! U S A! U S A!

Re:Stealth rockets

[tokul]

Amazing the USA still has the funds

Printing presses still work.

Re:Not first strike!

[Black Parrot]

It is clear that this is not a "first" strike weapon. The summation is correct, it is simply a "surprise" strike weapon. Which is OK, because, hey, who does not like surprises!?

Like Jesus said, "Do unto others before they do unto you."

Re:Sweden had this four years ago...

[Traiano]

Yes. But, unlike the Swedish version, the US version won't leak oil.

*WHOOSH*

[qubex]

Finally a slashdot article that doesn’t go *WHOOSH* over my head.

Re:Whats wrong with that?

[n-baxley]

Well, that's not making a sweeping generalization and failing to think beyond stereotypes. Bravo for your clearly thought out remarks.

LOL

[DarthVain]

Big difference between becoming a nuclear power and having ICBM capability. Even the USA back in the day had nukes long before being able to create the ICBM delivery system.

Just look at North Korea and their failures. Making an ICBM isn't easy by any stretch. Actually it was only a few years ago that Iran got caught trying to fake its failed rocket experiments with bad photoshoping... If they are 10 years from nuclear, they are an additional 20 for ICBM technology. It is after all, rocket science... :)

Re:Stealth rockets

[Pope]

Nah, I'm good.