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6 comments

1 Gus  Sun, Oct 7, 2012 4:23:08pm

I'm glad that this article was filed under "opinion" at Ynet and not "news."

2 Bubblehead II  Sun, Oct 7, 2012 5:01:34pm

I still don't understand why they used a heat seeking missile to bring it down instead of cannon fire. Cannon fire would have left it mostly intact therefore making it easier to analyze.

3 Bob Dillon  Sun, Oct 7, 2012 5:05:34pm

re: #2 Bubblehead II

My first thot as well when I saw the video.

4 Bubblehead II  Sun, Oct 7, 2012 5:27:37pm

re: #3 Bob Dillon

About the only reason I can think of (using a missile vice cannon) is that they have already gotten a few and wanted to send a message. Hence, this one made it in as far as it did (because Israel let it) and was then obliterated in a spectacular fashion and then publicly announced to say, "We know what you are trying to do and this is what's going to happen them if you keep it up."

But this is pure speculation on my part.

5 Shiplord Kirel  Sun, Oct 7, 2012 5:35:30pm

re: #2 Bubblehead II

I still don't understand why they used a heat seeking missile to bring it down instead of cannon fire. Cannon fire would have left it mostly intact therefore making it easier to analyze.

I'm not sure about that, B. There are several odd features in the video. A solid burst from a 20mm Vulcan (the only gun used by current Israeli fighters) might well have vaporized the drone. Otoh, the missile appeared to detonate slightly short of the target, as though it had a proximity fuse with a deliberate offset dialed in to minimize damage. The explosion was also fairly small, suggesting that this was not Sidewinder or a Python, but possibly an AGM-175 Griffin. The latter is a very small laser-guided missile designed for use against surface targets but with some capability against non-maneuvering air targets. Finally, the plane that passes close to the explosion right at the end would have been unbelievably close for an IR missile shot. The image is fuzzy but it does not look like an F-15 or 16, nor does it maneuver like one. It may be a T-6 trainer or similar light aircraft with a laser designater. The Griffin does not normally have a proximity fuse but it could be equipped with one in fairly short order. If so, this would be a weapon specifically adapted to bring down a drone. It would take time, possibly as little as a few days, to put together such a weapon. If any of my speculation is correct, the Israelis may have had warning of the drone overflight attempts and cobbled up a system specifically to counter them.

6 Bubblehead II  Sun, Oct 7, 2012 6:29:54pm

re: #5 Shiplord Kirel

Perhaps. But as I stated in my #4, all we can do is speculate as to what actually happened (other than a drone getting shot down).


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