Chinese Military tests new nuclear capable air launched Ballistic Missile

[Jlaw]

I'm not really arguing against that

But your arguments against air strike ballistic missiles doesn't make sense. Sometimes those nerdy math experts are too one sided in their studies and fail to see beyond real life situations. I would think military guys would know more about what works and what don't work.

 

[Dante80]

But your arguments against air strike ballistic missiles doesn't make sense. Sometimes those nerdy math experts are too one sided in their studies and fail to see beyond real life situations. I would think military guys would know more about what works and what don't work.

Ok, I gave three specific arguments. Can you tell me why they don't make sense?*
I also gave specific arguments for why this makes sense too (read the last paragraph).



*(without going straight to argumentum ad verecundiam)

 

[Yingluck]

Ok, I gave three specific arguments. Can you tell me why they don't make sense?*
I also gave specific arguments for why this makes sense too (read the last paragraph).



*(without going straight to argumentum ad verecundiam)

There is good use case in the event such missile can be miniaturized and carried by naval aviation.

Using landbase strategic ballistic missile is politically unacceptable. But miniature tactical missile is another story. It has good range and high velocity, making it very difficult to be intercepted.

 

[Yaseen1]

in 1974 u.s already launched minuteman icbm from air

 

[Kiss_of_the_Dragon]

I do get the range argument, but it really doesn't work that way. For three reasons.

1. A bomber can carry more similarly ranged ALCMs, thus applying more force to a target, or force to different targets by the same platform.

2. A bomber that launches an ALBM lits up in SBIRS and other satellites like a light candle. In contrast, ALCMs are stealthy weapons.

3. ALBM launch gives you the ability to design your first stage motor with a bigger expansion ratio (since the air is less dense at the point of launch), thus gaining a little more Isp and range from it. It is a common misconception though that you gain a lot of range from the application at hand.

____________

This is not a pointless weapon though, far from it. For starters, it gives greater reach to Chinas' nuclear triad, and also strengthens its second strike capabilities. It gives China the opportunity to field an air-launched ASBM, for supporting the PLAN on the Far Seas fronts. And it is an excellent R&D concept for additional applications, like ASAT delivery and even small launch vehicles (to supplement the rapid strategic replacement capabilities in LEO and SSO orbits that the CZ-11 and KZ-1A LVs employ).

Hope that helps, cheers..C:

Thank for you detail explaination but come back to your 3 points assessment:

1. Most ALCM are not hypersonic, it's not useless but face heavy defense US, it has less chance to survive.

2 ALBM is similar concept of Submarine laugh strategic missile but instead in the water it is on the air, this will offer less chance for enemy to track in vast pacific Ocean compare to the ICBM. If the flight path is well planned combine with more stealthy strategic bomber, there is more chance to have successful launch before enemy detection. Stealthy weapons is meaningless against US anti-stealth network but Hypersonic weapon has more chance to penetrate their defend shield.

3 ALBM with hypersonic glidder warhead can fly very far, in the future virtually all US will be within striking range with the combination of Stealth Bomber + ALBM +hypersonic glidder warhead. I think PLA generals certain have made the simulation on how effective this combination to penetrate US defense shield prior adopting this concept.

I could be wrong but who know the future, technology can tip the balance of power as how Western nations used Chinese invented gun power against China and give them upper hand, Chinese people are well aware of this, only by adventuring to the uncharted sciences and technology, we will find answer to the threat pose by enemy. China will never win by playing catch up but it has to leapfrog.