Comment on Unmanned USA military aircraft travels from NYC to LA in 12 minutes.parentComments−SkyMarshal15yAnother possible use, besides the mentioned 'Global Strike': next-gen SR-71. The benefits:1. Can't be shot down by any known SA missile technology (which the Russians are pretty good at)2. Isn't a sitting duck like satellites, can't be shot down with anti-satellite weapons.3. Can go anywhere anytime, so adversaries can't time their troop movements and other clandestine activities around your spysat flyover schedule.4. Perfect for keeping tabs on China's opaque military buildup, since the US's sats and humint isn't as effective at that as desired.
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Another possible use, besides the mentioned 'Global Strike': next-gen SR-71. The benefits:
1. Can't be shot down by any known SA missile technology (which the Russians are pretty good at)
2. Isn't a sitting duck like satellites, can't be shot down with anti-satellite weapons.
3. Can go anywhere anytime, so adversaries can't time their troop movements and other clandestine activities around your spysat flyover schedule.
4. Perfect for keeping tabs on China's opaque military buildup, since the US's sats and humint isn't as effective at that as desired.