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From: x35147d3@usma8.usma.edu (Bergman Charles CDT)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re:Iraqi Bomber Question
Message-ID: <1990Dec7.012019.1659@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 7 Dec 90 01:20:19 GMT
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From: x35147d3@usma8.usma.edu (Bergman Charles CDT)

In the October issue of JANE'S SOVIET INTELLIGENCE REVIEW, there was many 
articles dealing with the capabilities of the Iraqi Army, Navy and Air force.
The article syas that there are atleast 14 Soviet Tu-16 'Badger' Bombers and 
Chinese H-6 Bombers in the Air Force. The H-6 is the Chinese copy of the 
Badger.  The article says they have a combat radius of over 3150 km!
It goes on to say that the real significant capabilities in the Iraqi Air Force
lie in the 15 Su-24 Fence Strike aircraft (similar to the U.S. F-111).  The
Fencer has a combat radius of 1050 km with a good load and the Su-24 might have
a chance of leaving Iraqi air space.  The Mirage F-1 has a very good offensive
capability also of a combat radius of 700 km.  I might note that all of these
aircraft can very well cover Israel.
The article is very long and comprehensive on the capabilities of Iraq and its
weapon systems. Other notable aircraft in Iraqi hands are their own developed
Il-76 T-tail 'Mainstay' AWACS aircraft, none as Bagdad One!   The other 
aircraft mentioned in their Air Fleet includes the Su-7 'Fitter', Su-20 Fitter,
MiG-23F 'Flogger', Su-25 'Frogfoot' (proven in Afgan and like our A-10), F-7 
Xian, F-6 Shengyang, MiG-21 'Fishbed' and the Tu-22 'Blinder'.
They would probably use convential delivery systems, but have AM-39 Exocet 
missiles (proven on the USS Stark), AS-14 laser guided Soviet missiles, and AS 
30L French laser guided missiles.
Other possible, but unconfirmed air launched missiles, include the AS-4 
'Kitchen', AS-5 'Kelt', AS-6 'Kingfish' and the Iraqi designed "Ababil".
Who knows for sure.
One must wonder how a nation can logistical support such a wide variety of
aircraft, espicially while under a United Nations embarg.
The Iraqi Air Force is very capable and let's hope we can get it on the ground!

Charles K. Bergman
x35147d3@usma8.usma.edu              ***********************************
CDT CPL, USMA'93                     * Peace through superior firepower*
P.O. Box 54, U.S.C.C.                ***********************************
West Point, NY 10997


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