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I know this reply is off-topic but the following thoughts came to mind
after reading the threads regarding the subject topic.  Have you
considered the significant navigational differences between launching a
rocket from a slow moving platform such as a sub and say an ICBM moving
at maybe 17,000 mph loaded with MIRV?  Each MIRV has a unique
geographical target, probably widely separated and thousands of miles
distant.  Total transit time is measured in minutes.  No room for error
here.

Frank J.
Rochester, NY

On 4/11/2012 12:03 AM, Alexandre E Eremenko wrote:
> Lu,
>
>> It is my understanding that the periscope on many WW II subs
>> had a "sextant" mode where a navigator could shoot sites while submerged.
>
> Yes. I also read about this.
>
>> Pretty useful for getting daytime (moon, sun) shots.
>
> Perhaps it could also be equipped with an art horizon.
>
> C. Plath was famous for "aircraft-type" sextant for the use on
> submarines. After the war, the Russians copied it almost exactly.
> It is rare on e-bay, but can be seen in Russian shops.
> This is a hudge bulky device which weights several kilo.
>
>> As to 0.1' accuracy -- with nuclear weapons, as with hand-grenades,
>> "close" is usually effective.
>> In fact, the problem with much of the cold war may have
>> been accurately knowing the lat/long of the target rather
>> than of the missile launch site!
>
> The accuracy was a very important point, and influenced strategy.
> If you want to hit at a large city, 1/2 mile error is not very
> important. But if you want to hit a missile silo, you have to shoot
> very accurately, even with a powerful warhead.
> As all early missiles apparently had inertial guidance system,
> if any, their accuracy could
> not be better than the accuracy in the position of the launch site.
>
> I conclude that high precision Cel Nav (better than 1 mile) was realy
> important, perhaps
> for a short period. I still cannot tink of another accurate method
> which could be available before 1960.
>
> Alex.
>
>
>
>
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>

   

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