Re: Retrograde gimmickry

BDShatswell@aol.com wrote:
> 
> Strong planetary defenses would be a likely alternative.  

	Depends on the weapon technology you postulate.
	
	Start manufacturing "Pop goes the Weasel!" missiles.
	Said missile has :
	[1] an FTL drive
	[2] a 1000 megaton warhead.

	Missile emerges from FTL space at orbital height and
	instantly detonates.  The planetary defense do not have
	any time to react.

	The warhead causes a continental firestorm on the area 
	of the planet under the warhead.

	Repeat with more missiles until the entire planet
	is burnt to a crisp.

	FTL won't fit in a missile?  Well, you'll just have to
	make do with suicide drone starships.  Nobody said
	that incinerating a planet would be cheap.