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From: stevew@wyse.wyse.com (Steve Wilson x2580 dept303)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: CNN & battlefield communications; missile info
Message-ID: <1991Jan22.021305.21842@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 22 Jan 91 02:13:05 GMT
References: <1991Jan19.041207.4805@cbnews.att.com>
Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker)
Organization: Wyse Technology
Lines: 32
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From: stevew@wyse.wyse.com (Steve Wilson x2580 dept303)

In article <1991Jan19.041207.4805@cbnews.att.com> Douglas.Reece@IUS1.CS.CMU.EDU writes:
>SCUD: How are these targeted and guided?  How hard is it to drive a
>launcher someplace, program in a target, and navigate it to the target?
>Is it susceptible to ECM en route?  Is it vulnerable to AAM's while it
>comes up to speed?

The SCUD uses inertial guidance and follows a balistic trajectory.
Apparently the warhead separates from the main body of the missile before
impact.  I suppose the difficulty of setting up and launching the missile
is mostly a function of what kind of terrain they are moving the
vehicles on...  Since the vehicle uses inertial guidance, i.e. internal
determination of its own location, the missile should be immune to ECM.  Is
it vulnerable to AAM?...looks like ;-) 

>Patriot: How far away can targets be detected?  What sort of guidance
>is used, and what is the warhead like?  Any ideas as to why Israel
>wouldn't be using them?

I think I saw some numbers reported as being able to track targets
at 50 miles out...  The missile uses a phased array radar system
for initial tracking...I'm confused as to whether the missile carries
it's own on-board radar or whether it receives instructions from the
ground based radar... The missile uses an explosive proximity fuse
warhead that throws out a cone of debris consisting of dense metalic
cubes with the intent of causing the incomming missile to fly threw
that cone of debris.  

Steve Wilson