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Elite 3K Joined: May 11, 2004 Posts: 3098 Status: Offline

OK, I think quite a few of us have read Dale Brown's books about the Flight of the Old Dog and the other bombers turned fighters he dreamed up (at least I think he dreamed them up Smile

). Heavy bombers can carry some serious loads - just look up the max loadouts for the Bone, Buff, and Spirit Shocked

! Lots of 500 pounders!

With today's technology, you don't need a radar onboard the launch vehicle to feed the targeting data to the missiles prior to launch as this can be obtained via datalink from an AWACS or a fighter in the area. So why not fill up the bays on a Spirit or Bone, or the wing pylons and bays on a BUFF with AMRAAMS and send 'em against the enemy force? Heck, with that type of payload you could probably fit slightly modified Standard SAMs from Navy ships onboard for some extra range to target at launch!

I have a feeling I may know some of the answers to this question such as you want the launch aircraft to be as fast and high as possible for max range to target and you might have to maneuver after launching your missiles to evade inbound enemy weapons. Even with those considerations, why not load up at least one jet in the flight for the protection of the other jets? And why not throw a few HARMs on board while you're at it?

Thanks in advance guys Very Happy

!

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Enthusiast Joined: Nov 20, 2005 Posts: 67

Already Boeing had plans to install Amraams on the proposed re-manufactured B-1R or a furure upgraded B-1B (most avionics on the B-1R are taken from F-16bq60), also the new MMA P-8A will have 4 Amraam instaled on the wings (yes a B737 with Amraams), ant the operatore will be fully autonomus with these misiles, also there are plans to put Amraams on the MQ-9B (PredatorB), these missiles will be launceh by the opertor but targeted by AWACS, F-15s/F-22s or another jet or ground (or helo) capable to remotely guide the Amraam.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Stupid Predators -_-

-Aaron

Elite 3K Joined: May 10, 2004 Posts: 3098 Status: Offline

AMRAAMs on a 737 Shocked

??? Watch out or those Southwest Airlines pilots might start thinking about that whole title of "cowboys of the sky" a bit differently Laughing

!

All kidding aside, this is definitely interesting news and I think I'm in for some time doing a bit of research on it Smile

. Thanks again guys!

Elite 1K Joined: Aug 19, 2004 Posts: 1092

Dale Brown has always been ahead of reality. Did anybody read Storming Heaven which was published in either 1993 or '94? Not exactly the 9-11 scenario, but there were indeed terrorists crashing planes into buildings/airport terminals in that book. And they did attack D.C. as well. I still shake my head in disgust when I hear people in gov't or the media say that the attacks of 9/11/2001 could never have been predicted as they were so unexpected and bla bla bla. A-A missiles on bombers for self defense? That was an easy prediction for ole' Dale.

Quote:

AMRAAMs on a 737 ??? Watch out or those Southwest Airlines pilots might start thinking about that whole title of "cowboys of the sky" a bit differently !

Yeah, they'll have to change thier slogan from "DING! You are now free to move about the country" to "BEEP! Target locked cleared to engage." Devil

Hey, if they put lasers on a 747, why not missles on the smaller models? Crazy Pilot

Besides, if I were a heavy pilot, having some AMRAAMs to play with would give me a warm, fuzzy, secure feeling when flying into someplace with enemy fighter activity. In Love

Makes you wonder whats next, maybe some thrust vectoring perhaps? Cool

Enthusiast Joined: Nov 20, 2005 Posts: 67

The bad new for 737's pilots on the navy, is that they will never fire the Amraams, this will be done by the weapons officer far behind the cockpit, but is very nice the Idea to imagine to see some Su-27 (downed) markings on the 737's nose.

well something like 80% of southwest pilots are part time F-16 pilots in the ANG, so it wouldnt be much of a change...

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 26, 2005 Posts: 1455 Status: Offline

Would love to see a 737 "notching" an SU 27`s radar! Wink

Well during the falklands, we loaded Nimrods with Sidewinders for self defence Smile

; a capability thats being enhanced on the MRA.4 variant.

We also used the Vulcan for SEAD using Shrikes Smile

there was even a feasibility study of carrying 2 Gnat fighters under the wings of a Vulcan on docking stations during the cold war to provide air defence.

Andy

A new topic: 737 w/AMRAAMs vs Su-27.. who will win?? Laughing

Enthusiast Joined: Nov 20, 2005 Posts: 67

RyanCollins wrote:

A new topic: 737 w/AMRAAMs vs Su-27.. who will win?? Laughing

I bet for a 7-1 kill ratio or better, that's due the low acuracy of the RD-77, against the very acurate AIM-120, and 8 tons of electronics onboard the 737 (plus the AESA offensive ECM mode).

Quote:

Dale Brown has always been ahead of reality. Did anybody read Storming Heaven

That book has to be one of his best buy far!!! And I'll but 10$ on the Su-27 Cheers

Elite 1K Joined: Aug 19, 2004 Posts: 1092

flames wrote:

Quote:

Dale Brown has always been ahead of reality. Did anybody read Storming Heaven

That book has to be one of his best buy far!!! And I'll but 10$ on the Su-27 Cheers

Yes indeed. The question is, will Henri Cazaux (sp?) ever return from the dead? I'm not sure they ever got him in the end. Wink

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Heavy Bombers with Air to Air Missiles - Why Not?