[TeMPOraL]

Over enemy territory, ground-level flight was considered a feature, as the passing missile would shred the ground with sonic shockwaves, and bake it with radiation from its unshielded reactor.

One of the most evil military designs ever conceived.

[Scoundreller]

> as the passing missile would shred the ground with sonic shockwaves

Reminds me of this “oopsie”:

> Three-quarters of the windows in an eight-block area of downtown were shattered by a sonic boom accidentally created by the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy's flying aerobatic team

https://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/news/article_5e48d6a2-f6c...

[jaggederest]

To be fair, in the wikipedia article they talk about the radiation hazard being minimal and not part of the design - at mach 3 any exposure to the reactor is so brief it doesn't really do damage.

Of course, it going mach 3 at 1000 feet or lower, is going to knock your toupee right off.