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Robot Spaceplane To Launch In 2008
FleaPlus writes "The US Air Force has announced that it is developing an unmanned reusable spaceplane, the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle. The first launch is in 2008 on an Atlas V rocket. The X-37B will be one-fourth the size of the Space Shuttle and serve as a testbed for technologies for future reusable spacecraft. Its predecessor, the X-37, was drop-tested from the Scaled Composites White Knight mothership earlier this year."
An orbiting craft can loiter.
An orbiting craft can carry a veriety of ordnance to engage multiple and different types of targets.
An orbiting craft can position and reposition itself for surveillance missions.
An orbiting craft can stalk targets.
An orbiting craft can interdict enemy satellite launches and kill ballistic and cruise missiles.
Multiple stealthy orbiting craft can cluster over an enemy, then strike or wait as required.
24/7 presence over the battlefield can be a reality.
CONUS basing of such swift machines can reduce the need for deployments.
Killer drones are already controlled from CONUS, and this is their natural successor due to the absolute requirement to take the "high ground".
Beautiful idea really.
"This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
Well I, for one, welcome our new high-flying drone overlords!