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Split from USDI
Topic Started: Dec 5 2011, 11:24:56 PM (32 Views)
Matarchi
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I am not the RP person, but it would not only pose a bit of a disadvantage, but mostly unrealistic. Already, the warheads have to be large to get the necessary shielding from sending it really fast and making an orbital reentry. ICBMs cannot contain NBC armaments. So no fission, fusion, or dirty bombs of large effect. In the end, however, it is better to use high-explosive than to use atmospheric reentry as a means of inflicting damage. Until orbital stations are made (non available) mass drivers have no effect, nor do above atmosphere bombs.
Offline Profile Quote Post Get to the tooooop, do eettttt naaaaaaooooo
 
Matarchi
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This could be, though the tech the Alsatians have.
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United States of Alkatine
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OOC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prompt_Global_Strike

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military/4203874

Yes. This is why it sucks to have someone studying engineering running a nation's military. He will throw fluid mechanics at you.

Remember that the X-37's hypersonic speed is not what causes damage when it hits, per say -- the best part about hypersonic speed is the ability to kill someone anytime Langley says they need somebody dead.

The fact that the kinetic energy makes it more destructive is just a bonus -- its still loaded with conventional explosives, and most of the work will be done by the aforementioned conventional explosives.

BUT if you really want to get into an argument over the behavior of the X-37 in a fluid, and I admit fluid mechanics isn't exactly my specialty, I'd like to point out that the shape of the X-37 makes it very prone to travelling in a laminar flow at high velocities, due to its encouragement of lift

So much so that, the popularmechanics coverage of it describes that scientists had to;

Slowing Down of Speed
 

Isolator This component adjusts airflow—which can reach 2500 pounds per square foot—to a stable pressure for the combustor. Slowing airflow increases drag on the vehicle, but allows for more complete combustion.


Yes, it can fly so fast that it would have to slow down or combustion of the fuel wouldn't occur (it needs air -- it doesn't carry its own oxygen fuel mixture thingy like the shuttles do)

In other words, because the X-37 doesn't suffer too much with eddies due to travelling in laminar flow (eddies are those little wind loops) that characterize turbulent flow, this thing will not be very fast

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laminar_flow

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laminar-turbulent_transition
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Matarchi
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Ok. Makes sense. And would it run on previous momentum as soon as it leaves the atmosphere?
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United States of Alkatine
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OOC: don't forget the OOC tag

Are you saying that the whole thing is just flying from the initial momentum given to it by the first blast -- like an artillery shell?

No, of course not. Conservation of Momentum doesn't apply here, because it's you know, it has an engine...and the engine burns for most of the flight time.
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Matarchi
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I mean as soon as it exits the atmosphere, there is no air to burn, so the way down is a non-propelled thrust caused by gravity.
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Matarchi
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I mean as soon as it exits the atmosphere, there is no air to burn, so the way down is a non-propelled thrust caused by gravity.
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Matarchi
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OOC:
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