Americans shoot down British aircraft

wassap · 23 Mar 2003 at 10:09

Not exactly what I'd call profound

Lol that is pretty profound compared to the normal conversations we have

Pez · 23 Mar 2003 at 10:10

Originally posted by 2blue4u
The system is an anti-aircraft system that has been modified to also cope with incoming missiles.

You learn something everyday

.

r1cko · 23 Mar 2003 at 10:24

why dont some of you wait until the facts are clear instead of running your mouths off about the americans and bush?

pugster · 23 Mar 2003 at 10:25

well i was expecting this tbh, only a matter of time and as stated you only have to look at the gulf war, imo the technology the yanks have and the brains that run it are far distanced, the same as giving a ten yr old a pair of 44 magnums and taking his sweets away, what you expect?

sik · 23 Mar 2003 at 10:28

Originally posted by r1cko
why dont some of you wait until the facts are clear instead of running your mouths off about the americans and bush?

Because everyone's patriotic and feels for their country?

Maybe.

iam · 23 Mar 2003 at 10:34

Originally posted by wohoo
Lol that is pretty profound compared to the normal conversations we have

Hehe

Also:

why dont some of you wait until the facts are clear instead of running your mouths off about the americans and bush?

That's good advice

wassap · 23 Mar 2003 at 10:35

why dont some of you wait until the facts are clear instead of running your mouths off about the americans and bush?

Or maybe its annoying it keeps happening time and time again :mad:

u never hear of other countries making fatal mistakes as these.

silverpaw · 23 Mar 2003 at 10:37

Originally posted by wohoo
Or maybe its annoying it keeps happening time and time again u never hear of other countries making fatal mistakes as these.

No we don't.

The facts so far are that there's evidence an RAF plane was downed by a US missile. What more information do we need to show outrage at this incident that shouldn't happen given the technology in use.

atpbx · 23 Mar 2003 at 10:44

There is a long history of american incompetance leading to the death of our troops.

Dolph · 23 Mar 2003 at 10:48

Ok, lets look at this objectively.

In the last four days, somwhere in the region of 4,500 sorties have been flown. One friendly fire incident out of 4,500 is statistically nothing.

Secondly, you see something coming towards your base, you can't identify it. Do you let it carry on towards your camp, thereby endangering all your forces and equipment, or shoot it down, at most risking the lives of probably 2 pilots who may or may not be on your side....

It's not a difficult question, is it?

-Dolph

Custor · 23 Mar 2003 at 10:49

Have to make sure the plane was where it was supposed to be adn doign it was supposed to do. If it was off course or out of radio coms (damaged by AAA?) then restricted airspace being shot down might have been the 'right' thing for the AA battery to do.
If the plane was in full contact with AWACs on course and where it was supposed to be the onus would go back on the ground troops.

Could be a case of both sides being 'right' and followign orders correctly 'but A not talking to B'.

Lets just hope that the guys are OK.

Sleepy · 23 Mar 2003 at 10:51

Originally posted by wohoo
Or maybe its annoying it keeps happening time and time again u never hear of other countries making fatal mistakes as these.

From memory British special forces, SAS attacked and killed members of the SBS in the Falklands.

It happens, the level of Blue on Blue casualties, has ranged from 2 - 40% (depends on the survey) for every war since WWII. It was higher in Vietnam but as a predominately Jungle battle thats to be expected.

It could have been caused by the Tornado approaching on a prohibited vector, we dont know so there's no point speculating or casting blame before the facts.

Mistakes happen get over it.

wassap · 23 Mar 2003 at 10:55

Mistakes happen get over it.

Fmilies of the persons involved may not see it like that tho will they, it is one thing to die/get injured on the battlefield, but on the way back by ur own allies :confused:

Sleepy · 23 Mar 2003 at 11:00

Originally posted by wohoo
Fmilies [sic] of the persons involved may not see it like that tho will they

No one here speculating is family of aircrew.

taliesyn · 23 Mar 2003 at 11:02

The Tornado's radar would probably have detected a lock from the ground station, but once the missile is fired, seeing as the missile itself has got no radar, they would have been effectively blind as to where it was.

Also, having a 90Kg warhead detonating near your plane is much different to having an Aim-9 sidewinder detonate near it (which IIRC has a 9.38Kg high explosive warhead).

The chances of you being in a position to eject are unfortunately massively smaller, as the prospective damage to the aircraft is huge

r1cko · 23 Mar 2003 at 11:03

well you don't *know* if the crew are dead. The plane was shot down and the crew are *missing*.

for all you know they could have ejected.. but that doesnt matter, getting a quick punch in about the americans is your main objective here.

taliesyn · 23 Mar 2003 at 11:05

Originally posted by r1cko
well you don't *know* if the crew are dead. The plane was shot down and the crew are *missing*.

for all you know they could have ejected.. but that doesnt matter, getting a quick punch in about the americans is your main objective here.

Who me?

[edit] All I was pointing out was that the chances of ejection are massively smaller. I wasn't speculating on the crew. [edit]

r1cko · 23 Mar 2003 at 11:06

nah not you mate.

taliesyn · 23 Mar 2003 at 11:07

Originally posted by r1cko
nah not you mate.

Ah

I'll shut up then

Sleepy · 23 Mar 2003 at 11:09

Originally posted by taliesyn
The Tornado's radar would probably have detected a lock from the ground station, but once the missile is fired, seeing as the missile itself has got no radar, they would have been effectively blind as to where it was.

PAC3s are fitted with, and guided by an onboard radar

Americans shoot down British aircraft

Custor

Custor