Lurker bomb: The 12ft Fire Shadow missile can be launched up to 100 miles away from its target (Photo from the Daily Mail)The Lurker Bomb That Can Hover For Ten Hours ... And Then Strike Its Target In The Space Of A Minute -- Daily Mail
A revolutionary missile that can stalk a target until the perfect moment to strike is being developed by the Ministry of Defence for use against the Taliban in Afghanistan.
The so-called lurker bomb will also be able to shadow British troops for up to ten hours or 100 miles, ready to take out enemy targets with surgical precision at a minute’s notice.
The 12ft weapon – officially named Fire Shadow and made in Britain by leading missile manufacturer MBDA – will be operated by the Royal Artillery.
It made its first test flight in Wales earlier this year and is expected to be operational by 2010.
One of the biggest problems facing British troops in Afghanistan is Taliban ambushes. The insurgents often escape before a counter-attack can be launched because they know the Afghan terrain well, it takes time for air support to arrive, and the British are reluctant to use existing powerful missiles for fear of causing collateral damage such as killing civilians or flattening homes.
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