Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!apple!veritas!amdcad!amdcad!military
From: kinney@wku.edu (Mark Kinney)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Pegasus
Message-ID: <1991Mar30.020340.27985@amd.com>
Date: 29 Mar 91 20:04:54 GMT
Sender: military@amd.com
Organization: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Lines: 21
Approved: military@amd.com



From: kinney@wku.edu (Mark Kinney)

	I look on the articles about the missile launches out of cargo planes
with interest. Could they possibly have been "feasability tests" for the
Pegasus rocket project? The Pegasus is supposed to be able to put satellite-
sized payloads into orbit after launching from a B-52. I seem to recall an
article in the newspaper several years ago (3 or 4) in which the Soviets were
throwing a fit over it. Consider:
	1) The Air Force could lauch a new Keyhole so long as they have a
Pegasus, they can launch it almost *anywhere*, and whenever they want it.
	2) Why limit it to satellites. Weapon potential is obvious from the
fact that ICBM's have been launched from aircraft.
	I don't remember many numbers on it, although I'm sure some basic
numbers were released at some point. Anyone want to fill in the gaps there? I
know it couldn't launch, say, a KH-13 or anything, but some of the earlier
Keyholes could be put up I'm sure.

Mark Kinney
kinney@wku.edu