[HiTech RedNeck]

If an ICBM with MIRV can send a cluster of nukes, why can’t it also send a cluster of conventional bombs?

[tet68]

If an ICBM with MIRV can send a cluster of nukes, why can’t it also send a cluster of conventional bombs?

“When you care enough to only send the very best....”

[ArrogantBustard]

If an ICBM with MIRV can send a cluster of nukes, why can’t it also send a cluster of conventional bombs?

Trident II (D5) CEP = 120m

Minutemann III (LGM-30) CEP = 150m

[spetznaz]

Simplest answer is that the target country has no way of knowing whether the ICBM is carrying a nuclear payload or if it is carrying conventional bomblets or tungsten rods. Now, if the country is Zambia or New Zealand then it is not a problem. However, if the country is Russia/China/USA/France/UK/Israel, then an ICBM coming in from Russia/China/USA/France/UK/Israel may VERY easily bring about a nuclear retaliation! There was a plan of using American ICBMs with conventional warheads that was shelved for this very reason. Imagine you are Papa Bush/Clinton/Dubya/Obama, and you launch 10 conventional ICBMs against a target in Kazahkstan. Well, niggling at the back of your mind is a question on what Putin will be thinking, and if he may decide to respond to what his sensors are registering as a US nuclear strike. Sure, the numbers do not seem big (only 10), but what if they are airburst EMP warheads? As US POTUS, would you be willing to risk that? Or imagine that Putin launches 2 Topol-Ms at targets in Mexico that he claims are sheltering the heads of the Chechen Al Queda who just attacked some place in Russia. He needs to use ICBMs because in less than 30 minutes they are dead and he doesn't have time to waste (or less than 15 minutes if he uses a Bulava SLBM from a submarine). You are president Palin. That could be an EMP to knock most of the civilian US systems down. It could be one of the superadvanced biological weapons the Russuans allegedly have. Or it could be filled with nothint but teddybears and crackerjacks! You, as president Palin, what do you so?

That is why no nation would risk using conventional strike ICBMs even with the advantages they have, and why the US and Russia are investing in hypersonic cruise missiles at MUCH greater cost and complexity. You cannot afford a misunderstanding, unless you are certain the other guy will chicken. However, if you are wrong, it's your @$$ (and that of your fellow American/Russian/French/Chinese/British/Israeli citizens).

[USNBandit]

There are already things on the drawing board to convert some Ohio class subs for something like that. The issue becomes when you fire these things some nations with sophisticated detection devices will think you are going nuke.

For instance, you couldn't use such a weapon against China or Russia without risking an immediate nuclear retaliation. I think that would also be an issue if you were to use a hypersonic possible trans-atmospheric weapon, like the Air Force wants to produce. You are really going to have a limit on who you can use it against for fear of a nuclear response.

That being said it might be nice to have such a weapon if you found out that Osama bin Laden was going to be at location x for the next half hour. Deliverable anywhere in the world in 20 minutes. It would be faster than even the most psychotic Domino's driver.