Fighter Escort?
Discussion
TEKNOPUG said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Who actually presses the button? MoD/Winky whoever can authorise whatever they like, still down to the pilot to actually carry out the command, or not 
Edited by TEKNOPUG on Wednesday 3rd March 16:45
I once had a chat with a retired Tornado pilot, who told me that post-9/11 they regularly practiced civilian airliner intercepts with the intent of shooting them down should the need arise. If someone deemed that a hijacked airline was enough of a threat to sacrifice all the lives on board then I'm sure that would mean having spared the lives of countless more on the ground.
He also told me he dreaded to know what it would feel to send a plane full of innocent civilians to their death, but how many more could potentially be saved in a situation like that?
ramz said:
TEKNOPUG said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Who actually presses the button? MoD/Winky whoever can authorise whatever they like, still down to the pilot to actually carry out the command, or not Edited by TEKNOPUG on Wednesday 3rd March 16:45
I once had a chat with a retired Tornado pilot, who told me that post-9/11 they regularly practiced civilian airliner intercepts with the intent of shooting them down should the need arise. If someone deemed that a hijacked airline was enough of a threat to sacrifice all the lives on board then I'm sure that would mean having spared the lives of countless more on the ground.
He also told me he dreaded to know what it would feel to send a plane full of innocent civilians to their death, but how many more could potentially be saved in a situation like that?
Probably being court-martialed for insubordination, consequently losing his job and livelihood, possibly prison?
Not to mention having to live with the knowledge that his actions (or rather, non-action) resulted in the death of countless innocent lives which he could have saved (nonetheless at the expense of a few others.)
I guess.
Not to mention having to live with the knowledge that his actions (or rather, non-action) resulted in the death of countless innocent lives which he could have saved (nonetheless at the expense of a few others.)
I guess.
Depending on where it hit, I would imagine that a few missiles and maybe some cannon fire would be needed???
A 777/747 is a very very big aircraft with multiple redundant systems (controls, fuel etc etc) and missile warheads are not that big. AFAIK, they use a proximity warhead to send shrapnel into what is often a densely packed target - a fighter - with an excellent chance of damaging something critical. For an airliner, aside from the sheer size, there is a lot of 'space' inside it. In various accidents they have flown with no tails, no roofs, no front cargo hatches, all engines out etc so would probably take a bit to knock it out of the sky.
A 777/747 is a very very big aircraft with multiple redundant systems (controls, fuel etc etc) and missile warheads are not that big. AFAIK, they use a proximity warhead to send shrapnel into what is often a densely packed target - a fighter - with an excellent chance of damaging something critical. For an airliner, aside from the sheer size, there is a lot of 'space' inside it. In various accidents they have flown with no tails, no roofs, no front cargo hatches, all engines out etc so would probably take a bit to knock it out of the sky.
XB70 said:
Depending on where it hit, I would imagine that a few missiles and maybe some cannon fire would be needed???
A 777/747 is a very very big aircraft with multiple redundant systems (controls, fuel etc etc) and missile warheads are not that big. AFAIK, they use a proximity warhead to send shrapnel into what is often a densely packed target - a fighter - with an excellent chance of damaging something critical. For an airliner, aside from the sheer size, there is a lot of 'space' inside it. In various accidents they have flown with no tails, no roofs, no front cargo hatches, all engines out etc so would probably take a bit to knock it out of the sky.
Can you decide where a missile will hit on a target such as a plane? Or does it just hit the centre and hope for the best?A 777/747 is a very very big aircraft with multiple redundant systems (controls, fuel etc etc) and missile warheads are not that big. AFAIK, they use a proximity warhead to send shrapnel into what is often a densely packed target - a fighter - with an excellent chance of damaging something critical. For an airliner, aside from the sheer size, there is a lot of 'space' inside it. In various accidents they have flown with no tails, no roofs, no front cargo hatches, all engines out etc so would probably take a bit to knock it out of the sky.
As far as I am aware some missiles use radar, and home in on there target and detonate through contact or proximity, so I would guess it depend what angle the missile is launched from.
Although there are heat-seek missiles, like AIM-9 side winder, which is more than likely the weapon of choice considering the short range the escort is likely to fly, so thats good bye to an engine or to the couple in the toilet.
Although if there were scrambled and at a longer range, the weapon of choice would be the AMRAAM which is radar guided.
I await Eric and co for conformation or denial.
HTH
Although there are heat-seek missiles, like AIM-9 side winder, which is more than likely the weapon of choice considering the short range the escort is likely to fly, so thats good bye to an engine or to the couple in the toilet.
Although if there were scrambled and at a longer range, the weapon of choice would be the AMRAAM which is radar guided.
I await Eric and co for conformation or denial.
HTH
Edited by Ross1988 on Thursday 4th March 14:40
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