Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!cbnews!cbnews!military From: adrian@cs.heriot-watt.ac.uk (Adrian Hurt) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: A few questions on Gulf hardware Message-ID: <1991Jan24.041407.23496@cbnews.att.com> Date: 24 Jan 91 04:14:07 GMT Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker) Organization: Computer Science, Heriot-Watt U., Scotland Lines: 32 Approved: military@att.att.com From: Adrian Hurt Like most of the world, I have been watching coverage of the Gulf War on TV. I want to ask a few questions about some of the equipment being used. 1. According to a report I saw, what happens when a Scud is launched is that a spy satellite detects the launch, tells an AWACS aircraft where it was launched from; the AWACS plane then calls in attack aircraft to destroy the launcher. Can't the AWACS plane detect the launcher itself, when it gives itself away by launching? 2. What are the chances of a Scud missing its Israeli target and hitting some Palestinians? What are the chances of a Scud aimed at Saudi Arabia landing on Mecca? (I don't think speculation on what this would do for Saddam's propaganda belongs here, but it's fun to consider his reaction. :-) 3. Apparently the Tomahawk cruise missiles fly low through the streets of Baghdad. Reporters have described them going past their windows. What are the chances of Iraq defending important targets against these missile with large nets or other barriers set up between tall buildings? 4. With all the AA fire going up in Baghdad, and with the reported accuracy of the American bombing, just what is the greatest threat to the average Baghdad citizen - U.S. bombs, Iraqi shells, or splinters from exploding Iraqi shells? "Keyboard? How quaint!" - M. Scott Adrian Hurt | JANET: adrian@uk.ac.hw.cs UUCP: ..!ukc!cs.hw.ac.uk!adrian | ARPA: adrian@cs.hw.ac.uk