Re: GMS Air

Andrew Martin wrote:

> Popeyesays@aol.com wrote:
> > Too late for you to claim a patent. The Hellfire missile system was
> designed to engage both typoes of targets [tank and aircraft] and does
> so pretty effectively
>
>	  Can you let me know how a wireguided missile can hit a jet
going
> several hundred kilometers per hour while a Hellfire goes at a
> substantially slower pace? The latest MMW Hellfire doesn't go much
> faster IIRC.
>

Well first off an RB70 is a wire guided optically sighted SAM. Keep in
mind
that most shoulder fired SAMs don't have that much more range than one
of the
newer ITOWs HELLFIRES etc.

But actually much more to your point, the HELLFIRE is not wireguided, it
is a
fire and forget (laser designated or FCR designated missile. To quote
right
from the Jane's operating specs:
"Hellfire was originally developed by the army to destroy MBTs. One of
the
requirements though was to hit maneuvering targets at up to 20deg to the
right
and left of launch azimuth at distances up to 1000m of the firing
platform
(that's a fast reacting missile and in fact the HELLFIRE cruises at Mach
1.4
which is a hell of a lot faster than any enemy AC doing CAS in the area
is
going to be going though original designation of the target would be
difficulty
remarks ) This means that the HELLFIRE was designed with maneuverability
features normally designed for anti-aircraft weapons rather than AT
missiles.
AT the same time the warhead is designed with a adequate margins to
defeat all
forms of evolving armor. The result is a multipurpose weapon that can
destroy
all tactical point targets from MBTS to maneuvering helicopters to fixed
installations.

>
>	  While Hellfires have destroyed stationary, on the ground,
aircraft,
> they are of little use against a jet in flight, save as a distraction.
> Apache helicopters were designed to carry Stinger or Sidewinders for
> self defence against jets. So too are the  Comanche, I believe.

Absolutely correct. That's why you have specialist weapons though
popeye's
point still stands. Teh HELLFIRE has a multirole capability.

Cheers...

Los