Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

LouSanous t1_iymq9tj wrote

Well, the 20mm automatic cannons that intercept missiles fire projectiles at 3600fps.

Hypersonic missiles fly at something like 11,250fps.

There really isn't a reliable way to shoot them down right now and, even if there were, they can just be launched in numbers that overwhelm the defenses.

4

SavingsBookkeeper697 t1_iyo7631 wrote

I wonder if the iron dome can stop a hypersonic missile

1

LouSanous t1_iyo8mo0 wrote

I doubt it. The Iron Done missiles fly at mach 2.2.

Hypersonics are mach 10.

2

zenfalc t1_iyoc5nq wrote

And likely overstated for effectiveness. Accuracy at that speed is tough, and neither Russia or China can boast our accuracy at more conventional speeds.

Frankly with that kind of relative velocity we could probably hit it with silly string and kill the guidance. Or heavy duty aluminum foil chaff

1

LouSanous t1_iyof8ij wrote

The Pentagon has sounded the alarm many times that the US lacks effective ways of dealing with hypersonic weapons.

I'm not an expert on these weapons, but I am an expert in electrical engineering and from what I can see, the US is far behind in this area.

The good news is that it really doesn't matter unless the US attempts to start a war with China or Russia as neither of them have shown any interest in engaging the US intentionally.

1

zenfalc t1_iyoxari wrote

No one who likes their toys wants to start a war with us. Which is a good thing, but also a little sad

1