Marines launched the concept after the Sept. 11 terror attacks. They needed the "capability to transport small, mission-tailored units through space from any point on the globe to a contingency at any other point on the globe" within minutes of an order, according to a Marine document.
A Marine squad is what the planned space plane program (called SUSTAIN) would be able to move.
I mentioned this before, but noted it in light of my view that our Air Force should become our Space Force.
But on the specifics of the plan, I think it is ridiculous. As a commenter noted, don't you think someone might hear it landing? How would a Marine squad carry out a mission with that kind of entry? And how would we keep the space plane safe to extricate the team? The hot glowing embers of the landing spot just might be detectable by infrared sensors.
If we need to move that fast, use a ballistic missile with a conventional warhead and a twenty minute flight time.
If we need a squad to move in quietly, we'd best plan to have them around the globe ready for more conventional insertions.
