NationStates Jolt Archive

Today at 12 pm CST, Lammashta commenced the first test-fire of our Fire From Heaven orbit-based nuclear launch platform. The 20 megaton projectile was launched and impacted within half a meter of the intended target, a dummy 16" battery constructed on an uninhabited penninsula. The impact itself completely destroyed the penninsula and generated seismic activity that registered in the capitol city, halfway around the world. Republican aircraft flying around the vicinity of the impact site reported tidal waves that sank several junker battleships.

The government is pleased with this development, and further development of the weapon is expected while the nation's first infrasound tank is set to enter production at the end of the summer.

Half a meter? That is about 1.5ft, highly unlikely that a nuclear device of such size could be that accurate. They are large size nuclear missiles right? How does this weapon work? Electronic devices, how is it guided?

ooc:

The launcher itself has extremely accurate targeting capabilities, using current satellite technology. The launcher locks onto the target, downloads the visual data into the missile's computer, and launches. The missile itself uses a similar camera integrated into the nosecone to keep track of the target and to steer accordingly. The missile uses a series of small-scale boosters on the sides of the body to steer only if needed. The missile's main thrust fires only once. Just enough to set it in motion, so it is very difficult to detect until roughly 10 minutes or so before impact.