So with the 500 km - 5,500 km range Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty being dead since February 1-2, 2019 the US has already test-launched medium range cruise missiles from ground platforms.
But what of:
- the perfectly good Pershing II designs and hardware that were eliminated in 1991. Can the US
develop "Pershing IIIs" (noting some coast-based ASBMs suggestions). Maybe deploy Pershing III
as anti-ship (on continental US coasts, Hawaii, Midway Island, Guam, Diego Garcia) and where
relevant land attack versions (in Alaska, even Singapore?) as an answer to China's famous
DF-21Ds and DF-26s.
- longer than 500 km rangefuture versionsof the US MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile
System (ATacMS) as an answer to the likely 500+km range of Russia's Iskander-M variant of the
(NATO SS-26 Stone), ground launched versions of Russia's new Kh-47M2 Kinzhal ALBM and
modern variants of the Soviet SS-20.
: Maybe for ATacMS-ER GLBM basing in NATO central-eastern European countries.
Any other overlooked or "black programs" for eligible intermediate-range US missiles out there?
2. There's a whole range of modern technologies that could improve on old INF Treaty terminated
1991 missiles. This includes:
- vastly more accurate guidance for DF-21D style changes of course and more accurate
(3 meter?) CEPs,
- more stealth and decoy measures,
- improved rocket fuels for longer range per kg propellant,
- ramjets, and
- lighter, stronger, composite material booster casings for longer range.
Any other ballistic missile improvement technologies?
Pete
But what of:
- the perfectly good Pershing II designs and hardware that were eliminated in 1991. Can the US
develop "Pershing IIIs" (noting some coast-based ASBMs suggestions). Maybe deploy Pershing III
as anti-ship (on continental US coasts, Hawaii, Midway Island, Guam, Diego Garcia) and where
relevant land attack versions (in Alaska, even Singapore?) as an answer to China's famous
DF-21Ds and DF-26s.
- longer than 500 km rangefuture versionsof the US MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile
System (ATacMS) as an answer to the likely 500+km range of Russia's Iskander-M variant of the
(NATO SS-26 Stone), ground launched versions of Russia's new Kh-47M2 Kinzhal ALBM and
modern variants of the Soviet SS-20.
: Maybe for ATacMS-ER GLBM basing in NATO central-eastern European countries.
Any other overlooked or "black programs" for eligible intermediate-range US missiles out there?
2. There's a whole range of modern technologies that could improve on old INF Treaty terminated
1991 missiles. This includes:
- vastly more accurate guidance for DF-21D style changes of course and more accurate
(3 meter?) CEPs,
- more stealth and decoy measures,
- improved rocket fuels for longer range per kg propellant,
- ramjets, and
- lighter, stronger, composite material booster casings for longer range.
Any other ballistic missile improvement technologies?
Pete