China tests missile defense system

[Xicano]

China used a top-secret SC-19 anti-satellite (ASAT) missile in a test last year against a target missile as part of a missile-defense system that remains shrouded in secrecy.

The ASAT missile was fired against a new medium-range missile and details were disclosed in a State Department cable made public recently by WikiLeaks that included an outline of a diplomatic protest note to Beijing about both Chinese weapons programs.

The cable provides the first detailed U.S. assessment of what defense officials say is a major strategic advancement in China’s military buildup. It reveals that China’s anti-satellite system was developed for use not only against satellites but is part of a larger strategic missile-defense system.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates offered to hold strategic talks with China on missile defenses, as well as space, nuclear and cyberweapons, during a recent visit to Beijing. The offer was rebuffed by China’s defense minister, who said only that it would be studied.

---

Chinese state-run media announced the January 2010 test in a two-sentence statement that made no mention of the use of the SC-19. The SC-19’s first successful test destroyed a Chinese weather satellite in January 2007, resulting in thousands of pieces of debris in orbit that remain a threat to both manned and unmanned space flight.

The current U.S. strategic missile defense has no direct capabilities for shooting down satellites. However, the Navy modified a ship-based SM-3 anti-missile interceptor to shoot down a falling U.S. satellite in 2008.


http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/mar/9/inside-the-ring-846232496/

[tammywammy]

1. Interesting. n/t

[TheWraith]

2. Let them. The tolerances for missile defense are insanely hard to accomplish.

Intercepting one missile with another is a situation where even the tiniest error results in failure. Given current technology, it's incredibly hard to do, and basically impossible to do RELIABLY without a significant technical advance.

[tammywammy]

4. And the US has a pretty reliable missile defense system

with the PAC-3. Consistent threat interceptor. And pretty interesting technology involved in it...it has to be able to determine the difference between a threat aircraft wing and body or where the exact right point to hit an incoming missile is. And using kinetic energy to do it all. Interesting.

The Chinese are so secretive, I'm interested in hearing/reading more about what they say their system can do.

[somone]

3. Makes ya wonder how much garbage they produced this time