Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!newstop!sun!amdcad!amdcad!military From: ELEC140@csc.canterbury.ac.nz (Chris Kaiser) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Vulnerability of modern fighters Message-ID: <1991May17.063036.1080@amd.com> Date: 16 May 91 08:01:00 GMT References: <1991May15.060829.3052@amd.com> <1991May16.052804.17718@amd.com> Sender: military@amd.com Organization: University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand Lines: 30 Approved: military@amd.com From: Chris Kaiser henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer) writes: > 80%+ of all victims of air combat never even see the attacker, much less > have a chance to maneuver against him. This statistic must be largely based on the WW1 and WW2 situation, presumably the introduction of sophisticated radar carrying fighters is changing this, which brings me to some questions. 1) What are the limitations of a fighter's radar? Do aircraft such as the F-14 or Tornado interceptor have an all-round (ie. 360 degree) radar capability? 2) If they have radar blind spots (such as to the rear) do they have any means to detect the radar emissions of other aircraft? (eg. an enemy fighter with a radar lock on them from the rear) For aircraft operating close to home, the lack of all-round radar capability is probably not important, since ground based radar or AWAC aircraft could warn of approaching threats. However for a Tornado interceptor operating at extreme range, it must be a major consideration. 3) Basically, just how vulnerable are modern fighters to surprise attacks? How about long range strike aircraft and bombers? -- Chris Kaiser kaiser@elec.canterbury.ac.nz