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CheeseSandwich t1_jdy909a wrote

That was the big deal about the MX/Peacemaker missile. It relied on an extremely accurate internal navigational system called AIRS (eventually called IMU) that produced a circular error probable (CEP) around 90 meters. The MX was designed to survive an initial nuclear attack and be capable of being launched and retargeted quickly and accurately. Other American missile systems had a CEP of 160 meters.

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ColorUserPro t1_jdzzmsi wrote

Not to mention the canister launch platform, or the roadmap for rail-launching strategy. What a missile.

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CheeseSandwich t1_je0id7j wrote

It was a feat of engineering, but the cost was crazy. Like $400 million per missile if I remember reading correctly.

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ColorUserPro t1_je0wkjl wrote

I'd over-classify my nuclear program if I hemorrhaged money like that.

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BandidoDesconocido t1_je42gbi wrote

Worth noting that when it comes to nuclear bombs, you probably don't need to be that accurate. Get within a couple kms of the target and you're good.

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Seraph062 t1_je6g3ku wrote

This isn't true.
If you're a monster that just wants to run up a body count you can get away with 'a couple of kms' from your target. But if you want to attack hardened (military) targets, using a warhead you can actually carry on an ICBM, you'll need to get <1km levels of accuracy. If you want to shrink warheads (so you can carry more than one per missile) then you need to be even more precise.

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