steamchicken
3rd Jun 2003, 22:00
It isn't exactly rocket science ...
Agencies
Tuesday June 3, 2003
An inventor from New Zealand who is building a cruise missile in his garage using parts bought over the internet has said you don't have to be a rocket scientist to construct your very own rocket.
Bruce Simpson says he is planning to post step-by-step instructions on his website describing how to make the jet-powered missile, which he claims would be able to fly the 60 miles (100 kilometres) between his home and Auckland in less than 15 minutes, the New Zealand Herald newspaper has reported. The missile could carry a small warhead weighing 22lbs, and Mr Simpson claimed the air force would have no way of stopping it.
Mr Simpson, a 49-year-old internet site developer, said that his missile project, which he says will cost around US$5,000 (£3,058), was intended to warn governments how easy it would be for terrorists to build one. "Obviously the goal of this website is not to provide terrorists or other nefarious types with the plans for a working cruise missile but to prove the point that nations need to be prepared for this type of sophisticated attack from within their own borders," Mr Simpson says on his site.
Mr Simpson has already bought a GPS system US$120 and a radio control flight pack (US$150) from eBay, both on his shopping lists of materials and components for the home-made missile.
A police spokeswoman declined to comment on whether they were investigating Mr Simpson's project, but said they were "now aware of the situation. It's not something we recommend people try at home," spokeswoman Rebecca Holt told the Associated Press.
The inventor said he is working toward a testing firing of the missile by mid-July. He expects to begin building the missile's body within days and has already built two prototype jet engines. He has approached the air force for permission to a carry out a test flight, and for them to oversee it. "It would be rather foolhardy to go ahead without some official involvement," he said. The target for the test flight "depends entirely on the air force", and may be "a buoy out at sea", he added.
Former US defence department analyst and terrorism expert Paul Buchanan said Mr Simpson may not be trying to encourage terrorism, but "might be facilitating it". If the missile worked, it would send a powerful message to authorities, he told the newspaper.
"It might alert them as to how darn easy it is to assemble this stuff," said Mr Buchanan, who lectures at Auckland University. Mr Simpson told the newspaper that his website had received 250,000 hits in two weeks.
He said he was alarmed at the ease with which he'd bought from overseas websites the parts needed to guide the missile, and import them into the country - passing local customs with ease.
"All this stuff is off the shelf," the Herald quoted him as saying. "It rang no alarm bells. You don't have to be a rocket scientist," he was quoted as saying.
The imported parts included a radio control transmitter and flight pack, global positioning gear, antennas and a flight control system. The website allows the public to view pictures and prices of the components, but for more information users must pay a subscription, which Mr Simpson says he plans to offer once the site is complete, to cover his costs.
The Herald said he has already tested several noisy jet engines on a bench in his garage, something his neighbours more than half a mile away could confirm.
Link to report (http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/news/0,12597,969564,00.html)
Link to his website (http://www.interestingprojects.com/cruisemissile/)
Is this you, BlueWolf, by any chance? I can see its potential as a replacement for the RNZAF Skyhawks...when the Fijian navy, Chinese fishermen, or whoever you reckon will invade NZ turn up, you'll be behind the garage hosing off polystyrene Storm Shads by the dozen with, I don't doubt, a copious supply of one of your country's fine West Coast ales (suitably chilled) to hand. Now that's what I call an in-credible strike capability. If necessary you could sling'em under Ms Clark's 757. Or use her as the warhead. I look forward to 274 (Missile) Sqn RNZAF's formation.
Agencies
Tuesday June 3, 2003
An inventor from New Zealand who is building a cruise missile in his garage using parts bought over the internet has said you don't have to be a rocket scientist to construct your very own rocket.
Bruce Simpson says he is planning to post step-by-step instructions on his website describing how to make the jet-powered missile, which he claims would be able to fly the 60 miles (100 kilometres) between his home and Auckland in less than 15 minutes, the New Zealand Herald newspaper has reported. The missile could carry a small warhead weighing 22lbs, and Mr Simpson claimed the air force would have no way of stopping it.
Mr Simpson, a 49-year-old internet site developer, said that his missile project, which he says will cost around US$5,000 (£3,058), was intended to warn governments how easy it would be for terrorists to build one. "Obviously the goal of this website is not to provide terrorists or other nefarious types with the plans for a working cruise missile but to prove the point that nations need to be prepared for this type of sophisticated attack from within their own borders," Mr Simpson says on his site.
Mr Simpson has already bought a GPS system US$120 and a radio control flight pack (US$150) from eBay, both on his shopping lists of materials and components for the home-made missile.
A police spokeswoman declined to comment on whether they were investigating Mr Simpson's project, but said they were "now aware of the situation. It's not something we recommend people try at home," spokeswoman Rebecca Holt told the Associated Press.
The inventor said he is working toward a testing firing of the missile by mid-July. He expects to begin building the missile's body within days and has already built two prototype jet engines. He has approached the air force for permission to a carry out a test flight, and for them to oversee it. "It would be rather foolhardy to go ahead without some official involvement," he said. The target for the test flight "depends entirely on the air force", and may be "a buoy out at sea", he added.
Former US defence department analyst and terrorism expert Paul Buchanan said Mr Simpson may not be trying to encourage terrorism, but "might be facilitating it". If the missile worked, it would send a powerful message to authorities, he told the newspaper.
"It might alert them as to how darn easy it is to assemble this stuff," said Mr Buchanan, who lectures at Auckland University. Mr Simpson told the newspaper that his website had received 250,000 hits in two weeks.
He said he was alarmed at the ease with which he'd bought from overseas websites the parts needed to guide the missile, and import them into the country - passing local customs with ease.
"All this stuff is off the shelf," the Herald quoted him as saying. "It rang no alarm bells. You don't have to be a rocket scientist," he was quoted as saying.
The imported parts included a radio control transmitter and flight pack, global positioning gear, antennas and a flight control system. The website allows the public to view pictures and prices of the components, but for more information users must pay a subscription, which Mr Simpson says he plans to offer once the site is complete, to cover his costs.
The Herald said he has already tested several noisy jet engines on a bench in his garage, something his neighbours more than half a mile away could confirm.
Link to report (http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/news/0,12597,969564,00.html)
Link to his website (http://www.interestingprojects.com/cruisemissile/)
Is this you, BlueWolf, by any chance? I can see its potential as a replacement for the RNZAF Skyhawks...when the Fijian navy, Chinese fishermen, or whoever you reckon will invade NZ turn up, you'll be behind the garage hosing off polystyrene Storm Shads by the dozen with, I don't doubt, a copious supply of one of your country's fine West Coast ales (suitably chilled) to hand. Now that's what I call an in-credible strike capability. If necessary you could sling'em under Ms Clark's 757. Or use her as the warhead. I look forward to 274 (Missile) Sqn RNZAF's formation.