[QUOTE=Nanoda]
Does anyone know of the feasability of laser targeting in this particular case?
It seems to me that the ability to discern a laser point on a molten lava target might leave something to be desired.
My other thought is that, given the wall of your standard cinder cone volcano, target illumination would have to be done by air, in which case you might as well launch from there as well.
(And no drones either; I wouldn’t count on them against a dragon)
[/QUOTE]
Use a green frequency laser.
Or trained dolphins.
[QUOTE=silenus]
Do I want to know what they’re using for chaff?
[/QUOTE]
Armored Orcs ? On fire ? To confuse both radar and infrared. I have a vison of a Monty Python sketch type scene :
Orc, with British accent : “But I don’t wanna die !”
Witch King, with British accent : “None of that, now ! You wanted to join the Mordorian Air Force; well, here you are !”
Witch King : “Alright ! Off you go then !”
- flings flaming orc off Fell Beast *
Orc : "Ahhh ! "
Witch King, calling downward : “Remember ! Aim for the front of the damned thing !”
As to the destruction of the One Ring, Gandalf his own self said that no dragon fire, not even that of Ancalagon the Black (who was overthrown by Earendil) was hot enough to consume the One. The requirement indeed was not for sufficient heat, but for fires of Mt. Doom, where it was made.
I do not recall JRRT ever making clear why this was so (it is not in Letters, but may be tucked away somewhere in HOMES) but I would hypothesize that it is because it is at Sammath Naur that Sauron poured much of his own native power into the ring, at its forging. This he did to expand his own mastery over the creatures of the world, and the world itself.