Forum: F-16 News

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Not going to say anymore. Your logic is flawed.

Wouldn't be the first time, and probably (read definitely) not the last, but every day I get slightly smarter. Put it this way, every mistake I get called on here will probably be one that I don't have to catch in editing, since I might be able to use a good amount of the things on the site as research for the book--at least now I know that the AIM-7 won't likely be around when my story is set.

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Well now boys, no need to argue.

There's no argument here, Boman, just me being up to my usual civilian ignorance, and akruse21 helped me understand.

BTW, I owe ya one akruse. Thanks

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No worries. Wasn't meaning to come off as short.

That's fine, I understand.

now that's done, we need to get back On Topic

before TC sics the Coca-Cola Company on us Very Happy

Any ideas on which jet it was that shot the UAV down?

The jet? uhmmm... I bet it was a VIPER... HA!!! Crazy Pilot

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The jet? uhmmm... I bet it was a VIPER... HA!!! Crazy Pilot

l.....o.....l (although looking back I would have done the same thing!!! Very Happy

)

According to the sources cited (FOX News and Wired.com) , the type of jet was not named, and therefore it could even have been a Marine Corps Harrier that downed the UAV, or even an AH-64 with a Stinger.

But, since MNF-I is still not confirming nor denying the incident (IT HAPPENED, JUST TAKE CREDIT GUYS!!! yeesh) to deal with the issue it's probably still classified, like someone said, be on the lookout for a jet with a UAV killmark.

I'd say that letting it out in the open that the UAV came from Iran would get more countries to say, "hmmm, looks like the US was right, the Iranians are up to no good." But something tells me that ain't gonna happen in the next 1407 days.

From the photo on the wired.com story http://blog.wired.com/defense/2009/03/us-jet-shoots-d.html it looks a little like a modified Northrop-Grumman BQM-74 to me. Wonder if we sold any of those to Iran in the early 70's before the Shah came to power?

Nah, I think the KGB got a hold of some stuff, just like they did with MILAN.

Last edited by TC on Mar 15, 2009 - 03:26 AM; edited 1 time in total

PT, I haven't seen a Viper carry a Sparrow in a VERY long time. The only ones I ever saw carry AIM-7s were a couple of ADF birds, and a test bird or two out of Eglin. At any rate, they certainly haven't been carrying any at Balad.

Akruse has a bunch of time on the bust @$$ end of a wrench. I'd listen to him. He knows what he's talking about.

Also, my money is on a Viper, simply because of where this was...and that's all I've got to say about that.

I got that now, TC. I figured ADF would be one of the places where Sparrow would be used.

Well, seeing as we no longer have any ADF birds, there you go. It wasn't a Sparrow. However, a 'winder could've still been used from a distance where the drone operator couldn't obtain a visual on the shooting aircraft.

I wouldn't bet on any UAV kill markers. If it's secret, like you suggest, it wouldn't be put on a jet.

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Well, seeing as we no longer have any ADF birds, there you go. It wasn't a Sparrow. However, a 'winder could've still been used from a distance where the drone operator couldn't obtain a visual on the shooting aircraft.

Yeah. The AF factfile just says it's operational, but then again there's probably an entry for the QF-4 saying that it's operational too.

TC wrote:

Well, seeing as we no longer have any ADF birds, there you go. It wasn't a Sparrow. However, a 'winder could've still been used from a distance where the drone operator couldn't obtain a visual on the shooting aircraft.

If it was an AIM-9 that rules out a Viper, all the recent pictures i have seen from OIF of USAF/ANG Vipers they are carrying wingtip AIM-120s. The only Vipers i have seen carrying AIM-9s are MLUs.

Then it wasn't an AIM-9 shot either. Haven't been to Balad in awhile, but I can't recall what their wingtip loadout was. However, if you say that they were only carrying Slammers, I'll take your word for it.

Wrong AOR for Strike Eagles. So, my money is on a Viper with a Slammer...or guns.

I wonder how long it took to coordinate the shoot down approval and what not. Just thinking about all the UAV's in use over there I would bet that it took a bit to ID it as non friendly.

Forum: F-16 News

USAF Fighter downs Iranian UAV