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The Air Force confirmed a strong interest in delivery of cargo around the world—by rockets—during an hourlong conference call with reporters on Friday. Military officials said they were elevating the cargo initiative to become the newest "Vanguard Program," indicating a desire to move the concept from an experimental state into an operational capability.
"This idea has been around since the dawn of spaceflight," said Dr. Greg Spanjers, an Air Force scientist and the Rocket Cargo Program Manager. "It's always been an intriguing idea. We've looked at it about every 10 years, but it's never really made sense. The reason we're doing it now is because it looks like technology may have caught up with a good idea."
Ars first reported about the "Rocket Cargo" program in the Air Force's budget request on Monday. As part of its $200 billion annual budget, the Air Force is seeking $47.9 million to leverage emerging commercial rocket capabilities to launch cargo from one location and land elsewhere on Earth.
During Friday's call, the officials explained what they're looking for in more depth. "Fundamentally, a rocket can get around the world in 90 minutes, and an airplane cannot," Spanjers said.
Previously:
The US Military is Starting to Get Really Interested in Starship
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 08 2021, @09:57AM (4 children)
Just because Starship doesn’t look like an ICBM doesn’t mean it can’t be used as one. Any enemy would have to consider the possibility that an incoming Starship was a Trojan horse.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Tuesday June 08 2021, @02:14PM (3 children)
An incoming commercial aircraft could have a nuke on it.
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(Score: 2) by Immerman on Tuesday June 08 2021, @02:53PM (2 children)
Heck, an incoming cargo van could have a nuke in it.
ICBMs are primarily useful for striking targets deep within enemy controlled territory - exactly the place where you *wouldn't* be dropping off cargo or supplies. Especially not via a huge, loud, glowing-hot rocket that's going to attract the attention of every enemy within a hundred miles.
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Tuesday June 08 2021, @04:45PM
Again, it would be great for quick deployment, not to a hot combat zone. It would definitely not be used against a country/nation that is technologically advanced enough to shoot it down or who could mistake it for a nuclear missile and do something about it. Direct delivery of a hundred tons of equipment in a few hours from USA to the other side of the world is a killer tactic. The speed of deployment could be greatly increased with a fleet of Starships. We're talking a matter of hours for a "small" strike force (ones that could include tanks) to the other side of the world. How long does it take us to ship a single tank that far as of now? How many stops would be needed and/or mid-air refuels with current tech? In the event you can do a single shot delivery with a starship, you're vastly improving deployment time. Especially, if your other option is sending everything by boat.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Tuesday June 08 2021, @04:50PM
In a surprise attack, you could just ship your first nukes deep inside the enemy target. Assuming the enemy dosen't check for that at the borders, shipping ports, etc.
I don't suppose they could check aircraft until they land.
All of that said, I think anyone would be more concerned with a rapidly incoming starship landing.
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