Here's a study I picked up relating to modifying the SR-71 Blackbird to launch a Polaris missile-based orbital spysat on "once around" reconnaissance missions...

While technically feasible (which is pretty interesting in itself) I can see a lot of downsides instantly with the idea... a lot of them similar to the idea of launching ICBM's or SLBM's with precision guided conventional warheads instead of nukes-- of course the enemy or any adversary at which this thing might be launched would have NO WAY OF KNOWING that the missile carried a conventional precision-guided warhead versus a nuclear weapon, and thus would be quite likely to respond as if they were being attacked with a nuclear weapon inbound, and respond in kind... not good!

There's also the downside that the bomber-launched ICBM's, like the Skybolt missiles in the 60's... it has the drawbacks of both a bomber and a missile (bomber is a launch platform that is particularly vulnerable to attack on the ground and in the air, mechanical difficulties add to reliability concerns, and the missile has the disadvantage of not being able to be recalled, unlike a bomber dropping gravity bombs). Of course not being a weapon delivery system, this is partially negated, but still... if you're going to need a rocket and have to put the payload into orbit (even one only 80 miles high) then why not just launch it from the CONUS or a suitable base elsewhere, from the ground, and forego the difficulties of air launch altogether?? Or, if you're going to have a hypersonic aircraft, why not use it to perform the mission and forego the use of the high-altitude, short-mission duration missile-lofted cameras altogether?? Basically the drawbacks of BOTH the manned hypersonic aircraft AND an orbital satellite platform, with few real benefits... PLUS the risk of it LOOKING to enemy radars or missile detection systems to be an SLBM launch, or even if they understand the spysat mission, there would always be the suspicion it might be a first-strike weapon, if the missile were weaponized with a nuclear warhead in place of the once-around spysat...

At any rate, it's an interesting study... gives one something neat to do that nobody else on the range will have, if you have a spare Estes SR-71 kit laying around-- modify it with a BT-50 size Polaris missile slung underneath it!!

Here's the summary... pics will be coming shortly...

Later! OL JR

Attached Files

STUDY SUMMARY- Feasibilty Report- Modification of A-12 for Air Launched Reconnaissance System.txt (14.0 KB, 89 views)

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