And where would they go? How can you target anything with a balloon? The Japanese tried to do this in World War II and it was a colossal failure. So, do you learn from history---or put history aside and engage in flights of fancy?
Solar panels + lithium batteries + propulsion + precise weather data = balloons can be directed. Payload could be virus, dirty bomb, spy equipment.
It is a very low cost asymmetric warfare technique. It would cost 50x more for us to launch warplanes and shoot it down that it cost to build and deploy the balloon.
There was no propulsion system. Balloons are not dirigibles. This one simply followed the prevailing currents. And, as it turns out, they are an easy kill (happy, that).
My original point was only that it was doubtful. I am overjoyed to be proven wrong on this. It does indicate a more subtle performance capability of the AIM-9X Sidewinder. (In previous attempts in the past, it had proven to be impossible.)
And where would they go? How can you target anything with a balloon? The Japanese tried to do this in World War II and it was a colossal failure. So, do you learn from history---or put history aside and engage in flights of fancy?
Solar panels + lithium batteries + propulsion + precise weather data = balloons can be directed. Payload could be virus, dirty bomb, spy equipment.
It is a very low cost asymmetric warfare technique. It would cost 50x more for us to launch warplanes and shoot it down that it cost to build and deploy the balloon.
There was no propulsion system. Balloons are not dirigibles. This one simply followed the prevailing currents. And, as it turns out, they are an easy kill (happy, that).
Do you stand by your original point, that it is just too hard to shoot down balloons?
My original point was only that it was doubtful. I am overjoyed to be proven wrong on this. It does indicate a more subtle performance capability of the AIM-9X Sidewinder. (In previous attempts in the past, it had proven to be impossible.)