The analog computer for the Nike missile system (2001) • Hacker News Board

Re: The analog computer for the Nike missile system (2001)

#41

Post by lb1lf » Sun, Dec 03, 2023, 7:49 PM UTC

dun44 wrote: post #35

pfdietz wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If necessary, use a cooperative target with an IR emitter.

It might be easier to ditch the Sidewinder-like custom IR sensor for a stock camera, and make up for this in software instead. At the same time, I'm not sure if working on cheap guidance systems is the best idea at the moment - it could be used by Russias and North Koreas out there.

-Do bear in mind both Russia and DPRK has vast funds available for R&D; I'd be much more concerned about some three-letter agency knocking on your door, asking pointed questions about your innocent guided-missile pastime...

Re: The analog computer for the Nike missile system (2001)

#42

Post by greesil » Sun, Dec 03, 2023, 8:15 PM UTC

Taniwha wrote: post #15

So the short story is that the missiles were essentially radio controlled drones, radar measured the location of the target and the missile and from the ground the analog computer flies them together (or close enough that the bang will bring it down)

According to the radar operator I talked to, the coordinates from the search radar were transferred by hand to the guidance computer. And by transferred, they twiddled some knobs so the voltage sort of corresponded to the right values. Not even punch cards here. My millennial mind is blown.

Re: The analog computer for the Nike missile system (2001)

#43

Post by dun44 » Sun, Dec 03, 2023, 8:37 PM UTC

lb1lf wrote: post #41

dun44 wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It might be easier to ditch the Sidewinder-like custom IR sensor for a stock camera, and make up for this in software instead. At the same time, I'm not sure if working on cheap guidance systems is the best idea at the moment - it could be used by Russias and North Koreas out there.

-Do bear in mind both Russia and DPRK has vast funds available for R&D; I'd be much more concerned about some three-letter agency knocking on your door, asking pointed questions about your innocent guided-missile pastime...

Looking how Russia still can’t make their own drones and needs to buy them from China and Iran - nah. They lost most of the potential inherited from USSR.

As for TLA - what’s wrong with asking questions? Especially when they might also provide you with a free legal advice wrt ITAR ;)

Re: The analog computer for the Nike missile system (2001)

#44

Post by lb1lf » Sun, Dec 03, 2023, 8:53 PM UTC

dun44 wrote: post #43

lb1lf wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

-Do bear in mind both Russia and DPRK has vast funds available for R&D; I'd be much more concerned about some three-letter agency knocking on your door, asking pointed questions about your innocent guided-missile pastime...

Looking how Russia still can’t make their own drones and needs to buy them from China and Iran - nah. They lost most of the potential inherited from USSR. As for TLA - what’s wrong with asking questions? Especially when they might also provide you with a free legal advice wrt ITAR ;)

I accidentally and unintentionally violated ITAR a couple of decades ago. Free legal advice aside, it was hardly fun (not until afterwards...)

Re: The analog computer for the Nike missile system (2001)

#45

Post by hermitcrab » Sun, Dec 03, 2023, 9:22 PM UTC

lb1lf wrote: post #41

dun44 wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It might be easier to ditch the Sidewinder-like custom IR sensor for a stock camera, and make up for this in software instead. At the same time, I'm not sure if working on cheap guidance systems is the best idea at the moment - it could be used by Russias and North Koreas out there.

-Do bear in mind both Russia and DPRK has vast funds available for R&D; I'd be much more concerned about some three-letter agency knocking on your door, asking pointed questions about your innocent guided-missile pastime...

I definitely prefer not to end up on any government watchlists! I do worry a bit about my son's online searches. He is really into rocketry, not terrorism, but I wouldn't want to rely on the government to know the difference.