From Ami Silberman:
"Stuf4" wrote
From Alan Anderson:
snip
Many of us probably won't *agree* with it, any more than we agree that
GPS
is a space-based offensive weapons system, but at least we might know
where you're coming from.

Please note the distinction between a space-based offensive weapons
system versus a space-based system that offers offensive weapons
capability.

I would say "enhances" rather than "offers".

Note here a case where GPS *creates* an offensive weapons capability:
GPS bombs.

Imagine during the biggest, most recent raid on Baghdad...

All of a sudden turning off GPS the constellation.

This would have had an effect reminiscent to that scene in a new Star
Wars episode where in the heat of battle, all of the robot warriors
instantly become useless.


Despite the facts presented here, the general public will continue to
see GPS as a benign technology.


GPS was designed from the outset to create new capability for
offensive strategic forces. Consider, for example, the planning of
the route taken by a B-52. The Strategic Air Command had a
requirement for how often navigational fixes needed to be available
for updates of the nav system to prevent the INS position from
wandering off.

One consequence was that missions planned over the open ocean had to
periodically be within radar fix distance of identifiable land points.
GPS eliminates that constraint, creating new capability for mission
planning.


~ CT