You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Iraq-Jordan
Innovative Ground Support in Iraq
2005-01-04
January 4, 2005: American air force and navy pilots have found new ways to provide air support, besides just circling high above and releasing smart bombs on command from guys on the ground. The 20mm automatic cannon carried on F-16s, F-18s and F-15s, using new, longer range ammo and improved computer gun sights, enable pilots to come in and spray a room, or other small area, with 80-100 rounds. There is also a new, "frangible" 20mm round that, after penetrating a wall or thin armor, flies apart into dozens of lethal fragments. In Iraq, enemy snipers have learned that being in a building that a pilot can get a shot at is not a good idea. Pilots have also used Maverick missiles to take out snipers, or rooms where enemy troops are located. The 500-600 pound Mavericks comes with many different guidance systems, and a 125 pound or 300 pound warhead. This allows the Maverick to be used when friendly troops are nearby, the only alternative being the 500 pound smart bomb.

Most of these aircraft can carry eight Mavericks, and enough 20mm ammo for 5-6 attacks. The Predator UAV is also a favorite for city fighting, because of the very accurate Hellfire missiles it carries. Weighing only 100 pounds, with a 20 pound warhead, the Hellfire can be put through a window. The Predator also has a laser designator which can be used to identify a target for a Maverick missile fired by a warplane higher up. The ground troops depend on the warplanes and Predators for instant reinforcements when they find themselves facing too many enemy gunmen.
Posted by:Steve

#8  Britney Spears, Joe? No! Not Britney Spears! Say it ain't so!
But Betty Crocker doesn't surprise me. That bitch!
Posted by: tu3031   2005-01-04 10:52:43 PM  

#7  I was so worried about the influence of Betty Crocker™ ( a hot, yet fictional MILF©) and Britney Spears (I guess I'm one of the few who hasn't...damn) on our foreign policy, that I made my drinks doubles, rather than singles, sorry, AB, thx JM!!!
Posted by: Frank G   2005-01-04 10:37:22 PM  

#6  I'm not sure that would be to Joe's advantage.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis   2005-01-04 10:27:35 PM  

#5  Somehow Joseph's comments would be so much easier to read without the CAPS and the =
Posted by: True German Ally   2005-01-04 10:14:55 PM  

#4  Thanks for clearing that up, Joe. I'd been wondering the same thing.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis   2005-01-04 10:10:24 PM  

#3  The Lefties, Socies, Proggers, and Commies - ooops, sorry , like Britney Spears I mean REGULATORS or pro-Regulation, anti-Right = pro-Right = ??? Betty Crocker-crats, have gotta know US Tacair will soon dev the ability to deploy armed "parasite" UAVS as part of their NORMAL/
ROUTINE air-superiority/dominance mission,
ags enemy OPFORS, making 1 hi-tekky US Fighter = 2-3 plus-minus units in terms of firepower and qty. As UAVS advance in tech and capability, the only manned armed craft one will see in the sky will be those armored armed hovercraft in integrated, extra-ground close support of the infantry grunts and rear echelon CENTCOM C4IM!? And where GMD is concerned, LASERS that can shoot down missles and warheads as soon as they leave the launchpads can easily also shoot down aircraft or UAVS. Iff one accepts that the Global WOT = in reality Global War by and for Leftism-Socialism-Communism = WAR AND FORCED REVOLUTION [PC INVASION]AGAINST AMERICA AND THE WEST, then NOW is the time, before GMD becomes fully operational, for the Failed Left and Commie Clintons to make happen whatever PC destabilizing act or acts must occur to defeat and suborn America.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2005-01-04 10:07:20 PM  

#2  80-100 rounds of 20mm into a room. Ye Gods, talk about rearranging the furniture!
Posted by: Mike   2005-01-04 6:13:41 PM  

#1  This is great, keeping the fly-boys in the fight. I am a big Maverick fan. Hellfires on Predators are way cool also.
Posted by: Captain America   2005-01-04 11:48:57 AM  

00:00