ess (phil hunt) wrote:

On Thu, 18 Dec 2003 17:52:28 GMT, Derek Lyons wrote:

(phil hunt) wrote:

Guidance systems depend on *much* more than simply their computers.
You also need the inertial components, or their analogs, and *those*
are going to be hard to obtain in large quantities, especially at any
useful accuracy level.

digital cameras can do much of the job, and they are available
cheaply.

ROTFLMAO. A commercial digital camera isn't within an order of
magnitude of defense imaging systems and *isn't* a replacement for
inertial components. (I.E. a camera can image a target, it cannot
keep your missile level, or on a proper course.)

snipped various fanciful uses
Many of these depend on the West not deploying something it's
exceedingly capable at; Electronic warfare and countermeasures.

What electronic countermeasures could be used?

Any number of the the systems that the US has developed, especially
for naval and aviation uses.

Faster weapon system design mewans it could
"get inside the decision curve" of Western arms industries, because
by the time they've produced a weapon to counter the low-cost
weapon, the next generation of low-cost weapon is there.

Problem is, the Western powers can get inside this curve faster than
the medium nation can. The factories, power grid, etc of the medium
nation can be taken out within a few weeks to months via manned
bombers, or our own cruise missiles. Vital components produced
overseas can be stopped via blockade.

That's after the war breaks out. The USA isn't likely to start
bombing every country with an arms industry, is it?

No. But bombing after war breaks out is about 99% as efficient as
doing so before the war breaks out. Your LCCM's have to be stored
somewhere, and then deployed to their firing points.

D.
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