The US is testing Iranian Air Defenses
Read it here.
The U.S. aircraft said to have entered Iranian air space included F-16 multi-role fighters and F/A-18 attack jets, the reports said. The Iranian media said the aircraft appeared to have been sent on reconnaissance missions over Iran's nuclear sites, particularly in the southwestern province of Khuzestan.Our geography is rusty -- but southwest Iran sounds like close to Bushehr. We welcome comments from those more familiar with US aircraft and their reconnaissance capabilities. We think any US fighter platform can perform in a reconnaissance role, with Forward-Looking Infrared Radar, but could be way off on this. (ht for this story to orbat.com)
posted by Chester at 1/05/2005 04:52:00 PM
1 Comments:
I'm not really up on USAF F-16 recon capabilities, but being a frustrated avaitor, who had to settle for driving ships, the best USN platform is not the F/A-18, but the F-14 TOMCAT. One of the upgrades to the F-14 back in the 1980 was the Tactical Air Reconnisance Pod System ("TARPS"). Strap that on the bottom of a Mach 2 fighter and off to the races you go. Very successful system. I haven't heard of a similar capability for the F/A-18, but it sure would make sense to have one developed, as the F-14 has served several decades.
Of course, the other option would be the EA-6B PROWLERs.
Don't forget, Israel has F-16s.....
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