In 1962, Khrushchev threatened a fractional orbital bombardment system (FOBS). Why did this alarm U.S. leaders?

• A. The payloads could break into fractional pieces, making them difficult to track
• B. Such weapons are delicate and could explode prematurely
• C. The nuclear materials could contaminate space
• D. Orbital weapons could fly beneath U.S. radar fans, or approach from a southerly direction, evading detection by warning systems

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that placing a weapon in partial orbit would let it approach the United States from directions that ground-based warning radars weren't prepared to see, drastically reducing warning time. With a fractional orbital bombardment system, a warhead could re-enter from almost any angle, including from the south, and could slip through gaps in the U.S. early-warning network that relied on fixed radar coverage and predictable flight paths. This meant a surprise attack could be launched with far less notice, compromising defenses and deterrence. That’s why the warning was so strong: orbital weapons threatened to bypass existing radar “fans” and detection routines, making an attack harder to detect and respond to in time.