Re:US aircraft shoots down new airborne object over Canada
by dirtyid on Sunday February 12, 2023 @04:14PM
(#34767042)
Even if eventually technically feasible, imo it will take multi decades to acquire finish program and acqure platforms in sufficient numbers. Missiles feasible short term because there's airframes and stockpiles. It's a function of what's available. I think PRC can mass weaponize balloons to drope guided munitions much sooner than US can build up economic counter measures. Silly as meme is, balloon gap might eventually be real.
It is also not feasible to keep using million dollar missiles to shoot down thousand dollar balloons.
I kind of doubt that the planes are cheaper than ground based lasers. Even so, a mobile ground station could avoid giving away the US position and allow them to cover more area. Not sure how feasible that is.