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From: nobody@Kodak.COM (Rick Lafford (x37825))
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Iraqi Bomber Question
Message-ID: <1990Dec8.223144.28974@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 8 Dec 90 22:31:44 GMT
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From: nobody@Kodak.COM (Rick Lafford (x37825))
Organization: Eastman Kodak Co.

In response to Charles Bergmans item.

The Iraqi Airforce is indeed a force to watch but it is neither
so large or so capable as Charles note might lead one to believe.
First of all most of the aircraft are not front line capable and
have degraded systems due to vintage, foreign purchase options and
lack of repair parts.  Second, the Il-76 probably does not have
very sophisticated look-down capability which leaves it open to 
destruction by F-117 attack.  Three, I believe that the NATO navys have
developed so rather effective ECM countermeasures against Exocet 
attack as well as having the CLAWS systems onboard most ships which the
Stark did not have.

   As for the rest of the story, the Iraqi pilots have shown little
inclination to venture anywhere near intense anti-aircraft fire or
missile defences.  This rules out conventional ordinance and also
laser guided munitions, due to the requirement to hang around long
enough for the missile to get to the target.  I personally do not
feel that many Iraqi aircraft will escape the notice of the AWACS
aircraft, avoid the Airforce, surprise the Navy CAP and have their
limited number of Exocets get through the ECM and CLAWS systems.
Note that this is a personal opinion based on a limited knowledge
of the various layers of the system.  I would welcome any dialog
either pro or con.

All this is stimulating but I sure hope no one ever knows for sure.

Rick Lafford                 Don't use my return address!!!!!!
Eastman Kodak Co.
lafford@serum.Kodak.Com