“So, it’s definitely possible that a future situation in which a radar ‘blob’ … could mask an attack.” Such attacks could show up on radar as a ‘blob’, and that would make it really difficult to get a positive ID on such a radar target,” Col. “There’s quite a bit of talk about some rogue states as well as terror groups using swarms of drones to conduct attacks. Overhead, the Coast Guard helicopter Blackjack had reported it saw nothing suspicious in Washington’s skies, though it did note it had almost flown into a flock of birds … but this was not enough for a stand-down to be issued. With the entirety of the surrounding Capitol Hill in lockdown, Cook could only watch – and wait. With a range of about 3km, they are agile and fast – though they carry a relatively light infra-red guided warhead. The pods contain Stinger ground-to-air missiles. Usually carried by army Humvee trucks, this one was on a retractable pedestal. Spotted during the lockdown: a missile battery in position atop a building across the street from the White House /IkmjWby2FI- Sara Cook November 26, 2019 So, when a secret surface-to-air missile system suddenly pops up on a building across the street from the White House, it’s a sign things are getting serious.ĬBS reporter Sara Cook watched in alarm as a menacing machine appeared on the roof of a nearby office building. They’re built to take on anything that gets past the fighter jets and medium-range missiles as well as drones that may appear from among the suburbs. Sitting amid Washington’s most sensitive sites are Avenger short-range point-defence missile systems. Then there is another, last line of defence. Sometimes they are part of buildings and other infrastructure. Scattered around them are radars, optical telescopes and command facilities. Each consists of a compartmentalised box holding six missiles sitting on a semipermanent platform. They sit in plain sight – usually quietly – among parks, off significant roads or in government facilities. These launchers are scattered throughout Washington’s suburbs. Launchers such as this are set up in plain sight throughout Washington DC.
The US National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System. RELATED: China accidentally reveals secret weapon RELATED: Russian experiment goes horribly wrong RELATED: Chinese sub in embarrassing incident Little wonder the panic button was pressed. A business jet would take only five.Įven though this was a slow-moving target, those tasked with defending the heart of US politics had just seconds in which to make life-and-death decisions. This particular morning, none were producing clear results.Ī light aircraft could reach the White House after entering the no-fly-zone in just 15 minutes. They were designed to detect threats ranging from a kamikaze Cessna light aircraft through to cruise missiles.Īll are especially sensitive: They’re supposed to see through stealth and find what more conventional air traffic systems cannot. But there was also a carefully positioned network of infra-red and electro-optical cameras, sound sensors and other secret devices – all intended to give early warning of a potential attack. There were powerful civilian and military radars. Absolutely nothing except approved military and emergency services aircraft is allowed within 25km. The Federal Aviation Administration said it had no untoward aircraft on its radar.īillions had been spent on tracking and identifying everything in the air for 50km around the White House and Capitol Hill.
Phone lines buzzed between civilian and military agencies.
0 kommentar(er)
