Doug Jones writes:
> One problem with metallized solid propellants for tactical missiles is
> "signature"- they burn *damn* hot and have a very bright plume (consider
Yes, all the hot metal oxide grains in the exhaust, which radiate like
blackbody (~T^4), in contrast to H2/O2 which take much longer to cool,
distributing the signature over time and space.
> the shuttle SRBs). This serves to warn the target that you've just
> launched, enabling him to take countermeasures. A major focus in new
> hypervelocity missile developement is low-observable propulsion, which
> has a purely gaseous exhaust with low luminosity.
Little good it will do, if the target disintegrates into few warheads
and many hundred decoys before reentry. Knowing It's Coming will be
all there is. Duck, and cover?
Afaik, there are no means to terminate stuff while still in the burn
phase, spaceborn lasers, brilliant pebbles, and whatnot.
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