Douglas L wrote: RobMoser wrote: Douglas L wrote: Ray Swindle wrote:
I guess you guys have heard about the China balloon floating over the continental US. I heard one report say they didn't want to shoot it down because it could cause damage and another they don't know how to get it down.
Back when I was a young crew chief working a day shift at our alert facility, we scrambled our two F-4s armed with AIM-9 heat seeking missiles and Aero-7 radar guided missiles. When the pilots returned they were in really good spirits. They told us they were called to track a wayward weather balloon floating near air traffic along the southern Texas coast. They knew they couldn't shoot it down with their armament, so the pilot decided to fly right at it, then pull up with his afterburners lit to try to melt it. I think it worked on the second try.
The pilot was named "Popeye" Doyle. His son is Cmdr. Eric Doyle of the Blue Angels.
Interesting story, Ray. I just read the headlines, wondering what altitude the Xi balloon is flying at? If we can't or won't bring it down, it will just confirm to the CCP that USA is just a paper tiger like they have been telling their people.
Hope they are not using the balloon to release more virus!
66,000 feet according to something I saw. About the "size of three buses." Of course who knows how heavy the attached equipment is. They're probably worried about that. If it weighs a couple of tons, that wouldn't be nice to land on your roof .
Rob
Yeah, I just saw the altitude of this thing in the news. Tough decision to make for sure. I don't know, with trillions of $$$ spent on defense, we don't have a way to deal with this quickly and safely. I bet the CCP will be laughing their ass off if the balloon just "transits" over the US.
A missile launched from a sub should be able to take it out when it was seen on radar over Alaska . I am note sure of how high they go or whatever but just a thought. A thought obviously not made public.
Dan
Feb 04, 2023 at 11:40 AM
Previous versions of Danpbphoto's message #16161506 « Mustang Air to Air: The Sequel »
.