"Vivtho87700" wrote in message
...
I don't know about the effects of a frag warhead against a B-17, but I can
say
for sure that command-guided SAMs are still in use even today. For
example,
the SA-3 has a backup optical link to guide the missile to the target.
The
gunner (what else do I call him?) keeps a telescope pointed at the target
and
the correction signals are automatically transmitted to the missile.
Maximum
range is claimed to be 20 km against bomber sized targets.

Vivek Thomas

I was just thinking since a formation of B-17s or B-24s would be very
tightly packed for mutual fighter protection, a formation would be very
susceptible to a shot-gun style frag warhead on such a missile.

If the HS-117 was deployed operationally to protect Germany from large scale
bombing raids, how'd you defend against such a missile with '45 technology?
I guess the allies - Americans on their day raids most likely - would've had
to revise their heavy bombing strategy quite seriously.

Interesting about the SA-3, how successful was this backup system?

Jim Doyle