On 4/23/2010 4:21 PM, edward ohare wrote:
Recent media reports have characterized the USAF's X37 spaceplane as
an attempt to move warfare to space. The USAF denies the X37 is a
weapon, and USAF supporters have gone further stating its not even a
potential weapon. Meanwhile, the USAF's view of its true purpose has
not been plausibly explained.

While the average American may be reassured that his Air Force isn't
escallating war to space, the first thing he really ought to be asking
himself is does he want his military spending his money on things that
aren't weapons. If the X37 isn't a weapon or potential weapon, then
everyone involved ought to be run out of the USAF for not doing their
job.

No, transport is a routine military function. So is surveillance.



Of course, it is a weapon. No one in the USAF is stupid enough to
spend money on non-weapons. Which brings up the question of why to
spend any money on a new frontier of warfare.

Dual purpose tech. War WILL be escalated to space. Also, the new
platform might present an opportunity for a brilliant pebble missile
defense that works. It looks a lot like a way for a conventional
aircraft to put something kinetic above the ICBM boost phase altitude
range on short notice.