TelicPatriot
New Member
Is a surprise attack on an air refueling tanker a feasible tactic to disrupt, confuse and strain an enemy? Do refueling operations generally occur under the watchful eye of an AWACS or JSTAR?
Air refueling tanker vulnerability
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Aussie Digger
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If you're in any way a competent operator your force multiplier assets including AAR will be adequately protected.
Tankers also generally operate at what is known as a "tanker support line" which is a notional line which is thought to be beyond the enemies capability to strike at the aircraft and which the tanker for obvious reasons should not cross...
Tankers and other assets are usually escorted by a fighter detachment flying defensive counter air missions, so the "likelyhood" of a surprise attack, is probably not all that great.
That's not to say they are invulnerable, but properly operated, shouldn't be in too much danger...
TelicPatriot
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Interesting. It was just a thought that came to mind while considering unconventional air strategies. Thanks for the insight and quick response.
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Aussie Digger
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I'm sure if there were a simple way to "get" them, one would have been shot down in the numerable combat scenarios that they've been involved in, however to the best of my knowledge, no-one has managed it yet....
Fingers crossed...
TelicPatriot
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Well have modern AAR operations commenced in scenarios where the hostile force had access to sufficient technology? To that point, what would be required to slip past a defensive CAP enhanced supported AWACS to get to a tanker?
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Aussie Digger
Guest
Depends. An Iraqi MiG-25 got an F/A-18 kill during the original Gulf War because of the rules of engagement at the particular time (and difficulties identifying the opposing aircraft) didn't allow the USN fighter to take a BVR missile shot on the opposing MiG-25.
It was detected by AWACS a long way off, but they weren't allowed to fire upon it and it subsequently got a kill...
I can envisage similar incidents in future engagements...
There may be occasions when 2 forces are more evenly matched than the USA v Iraqi airforce and only possess the ability to gain "temporary" air superiority over the opposing force.
Windows of opportunity to "bag" an AAR or other major force multiplier may exist under such circumstances...
If your asking what it would take for someone to take out a USAF/RAF tanker, well someone more qualified than I would probably need to address that...
The Iraqi MiG-25 shot down the F/A-18 from WVR?
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Aussie Digger
Guest
It's a somewhat controversial incident, orginally "officially" chalked up to an Iraqi SA-6, but is now pretty widely attributed to a MiG-25PD which fired a WVR AAM, yes.
No actual "dogfight" took place, with the Hornet pilot not being allowed to fire initially, the MiG-25 using it's speed to "run" and later change direction and fire upon the Hornet from behind.
Research Lt Commander Scott Speicher and you'll find out all you want to know...
weasel1962
New Member
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Tell us all - how did a Iraqi Mig-25 shoot down an F/A-18??
eaf-16... Was it wvr? Or did we just dig their Migs out of the ground?
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