Re: warheads

[Bill Garmer <bgarmer@tsc.net>]

At 07:47 PM 4/13/97 -0400, you wrote:
>----------
>> From: Walter M. Rauch <walt@digital.net>
>> To: mp@nostromo.gate.net
>> Subject: warheads
>> Date: Sunday, April 13, 1997 2:28 PM
>> 
>> 
>> 	The warhead distribution patterns used in the MP book seem to be based
>on
>> the old fashioned multiple warhead technology, that put all the bombs on
>> the same general target.  Modern MIRVs are completly independent.  Each
>> warhead can find a different target, within a large footprint.  If the
>> missile un-busses at burnout, which is only about two to four minutes
>into
>> flight, each fully steerable warhead can diverge, and hit multiple
>targets
>> separated by hundreds, even a thousand miles.  The Trident D-5 missile
>can
>> do this, 20 or so missiles per sub, ten warheads per missile, and we have
>a
>> dozen of the Ohio class to throw them. This is why the Ohio/Trident
>program
>> worked as a deterrent. There was no way the soviets could stop a massive
>> counterattack.  Also, those same missiles could target very accuratly,
>> killing unfired silos, headquarters, and other hardened targets.  There
>was
>> no escape from retaliation.
>> 	Now look at that MP book's target list.  Now have the majority of those
>> warheads come down independently.  Now have them airburst, for soft
>> targets.  Wipeout.  Only hardened targets (silos, bunkers) ger surface
>> bursts, and they could be sub-surface bursts.  
>> 
>> 	Comments?
>
>Good points raised, but I'm not sure to  how this might apply to CEP. 
>Since the Russian MIRVs may only be Multiply Impact Reentry Vehicles.
>
>CEP Circular Error Probable.
>
>The delivery precision of a weapon system, normally measured in nautical
>miles or kilometers.  It is the radius of a circule, centered upon the mean
>point of impact, within which 50 percent of the missiles aimed at the
>target will fall.  The mean point of impact will almost always be offset
>from the center of the target by the bias (qv).  The CEP is normally
>assessed at the missile's maximum range; at less than the maximum range the
>CEP reduces in proportion, ie:
>
>CEP range x = CEP maximum range x   Range x
>                                                          
>-----------------
>                                                           Maximum range
>

Gary - where did you find this?

Bill


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