Re:Superfast military plane hit Mach 20 before crash
by dredmorbius on Monday August 22, 2011 @01:57AM
(#2911485)
I'd think directed energy weapons (e.g.: lasers) would probably be effective here.
Any Mach-20 vehicle is going to have an extremely limited thermal tolerance, and thermal shielding is likely to be applied specifically to those elements of the vehicle which require it for aerodynamic reasons.
Lasers could acquire and track with the target despite evasive maneuvers better than any kinetic weapon. Though a large-dispersion scatter weapon (ball bearings) would probably be sufficient. Each bb impact would be about the equivalent of a gram or two of TNT.
Any Mach-20 vehicle is going to have an extremely limited thermal tolerance, and thermal shielding is likely to be applied specifically to those elements of the vehicle which require it for aerodynamic reasons.
Lasers could acquire and track with the target despite evasive maneuvers better than any kinetic weapon. Though a large-dispersion scatter weapon (ball bearings) would probably be sufficient. Each bb impact would be about the equivalent of a gram or two of TNT.