"Ken S. Tucker" wrote in message
...


The number of Soviet Optical satellites in orbit at any one time
was rarely more than one. The active life of a satellite was 30 days

Yes, we are sure the Kremlin keeps Keith up to date :-),
what is your ref?


Start with
Space weapons and US strategy
By Paul B. Stares

As an online resource try

http://www.svengrahn.pp.se/histind/Recces/Feniks.htm


Today, using conventional ordinance, an MRBM
put in the ballpark of a CVN will terminal guide to a
probable direct hit, even choosing where to hit.

And just what combination of sensors and steering do you think
can do that ?

Just simple stuff. What would you use?

Its not simple stuff, a MRBM is doing anything up to 4,000 m/sec
on rentry. The plasma around the reentry vehicle is going to make
most sensors useless while also making radical manoeveurs next
to impossible.

It's a sub-orbital ballistic missile that breaks to subsonic
at high altitude,

Name one missile that does so and the mechanism it uses for braking.
Note that a profile such as that you describe would make the thing
much easier to intercept which is generally thought to be a bad
thing by those who fire them. The Aegis cruisers that accomapany a
CVBG would swat such a target without breaking sweat.

then it has a lot of time (by electronic
standards) to search, select, aim and fire.


And be shot down by a Standard 2 missile - oops

Note that while Pershing II used a synthetic aperture radar system
for terminal guidance this was an ancillary to the INS and compared
radar maps of the terrain with the on board maps. Its inclusion
was simply to reduce the CEP from the 400m of the Pershing I to
30m. This system did not have the capability to search for, locate and
guide the warhead to a moving target that may be 30 miles from the aim
point.
Keith

Things haved changed. A missile can shoot down a satellite
going 15,000 mph, yet you Keith steadfastly hold to the idea
that hitting a huge CVN doing 30 mph is very difficult.


Looking up at a missile with a large phased array radar is a lot easier
than looking down from a small set from a fast moving warhead even
if you dont have to do it through plasma.

Electronics has revolutized warfare as much as atomic
energy has. I've been in and out the business since 68,
and the pace is astounding, Star Trek type communicators
are now used by 12 yo girls for "sexting".


Keith, a young fella like yourself has probably never seen a
Telex machine.

This 'young fella' is in his late 50's and did his first programming on
an IBM 360 using teleprinter terminals with the code on paper tape

Classified military electronics is likely 10-15 years ahead of
what is publically known.
Ken


Actually the microprocessors used in military electronics are typically
5 years or more BEHIND those used commercially . The requirement
to harden them against EMP and provide TEMPEST protection
pretty much ensure that. The processor in my cellphone is probably
more capable than that in the F-22.

None of which can alter the laws of physics.

Keith