not just the us

[Craig.]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050607/ap_ ... t_diverted

So who knows what planes went up to intercept? Harriers, Tornados (my personal guess) jags or perhaps some typhoons?

[Saitek]

Yep. Good thing it was ok.

[C]

F3s (Just been on the news). I doubt the Jag and Harrier force are trained in intercept tactics, and there are 3 better placed F3 bases. Typhoon is not yet operational so would be very unlikely.

In fact, a Jag and Harrier would be unable to do anything, as they wouldn't be carrying any form of live air-air weapon...

[Woodlouse2002]

Tornado's I should think. The other options are hardly interceptors. Except the Typhoon, but then, how operational is that these days?

[Craig.]

In a case like this, live weapons wouldn't have mattered. Not much you can do from an aircraft if its a bomb thats been left, other than escort it till it lands or explodes. Thankfully this was not one of those times and everyone being safe is all that matters.

[C]

In a case like this, live weapons wouldn't have mattered.

You'd be in constant communication. If it was obvious the plane had become hijacked, and was not responding to orders (bearing in mind a hijack will always go to Stansted), and then began to head towards a major city unprompted, then you would probably take the shot, having given them a quick reminder by giving the cockpit a wave...

[Woodlouse2002]

FAA Harriers carry air to air armaments. Surely the RAF Harriers and Jags have some sort of air to air capability for self defence even if it's just a couple of Sidewinders?

[Craig.]

You'd be in constant communication. If it was obvious the plane had become hijacked, and was not responding to orders (bearing in mind a hijack will always go to Stansted), and then began to head towards a major city unprompted, then you would probably take the shot, having given them a quick reminder by giving the cockpit a wave...

In the case of a hijacking yes of course weapons would be. But this was just a suspicious package in the end. Had it turned out to be a bomb without hijackers onboard then really wouldnt be much they could do.

[C]

FAA Harriers carry air to air armaments. Surely the RAF Harriers and Jags have some sort of air to air capability for self defence even if it's just a couple of Sidewinders?

Yep, indeed. However, the F3s would be the only aircraft in the UK routinely fitted with Air to air weapons, and hence are responsible for Air Defence of the UK. The Hars and Jags do carry sidewinders, but have no AA radar. I doubt any SHARs are fitted with live weapons routinely unless embarked.

[Hagar]

It would be fascinating to find out exactly what the mysterious object was that caused all this fuss but I doubt that we shall ever find out. Having seen the weird & wonderful (& completely useless) objects people bring back from their holidays it was probably a souvenir belonging to one of the passengers.

This is one example of when a gun would be useful on a fighter. A couple of well-placed shots would soon show them they mean business.

[C]

This is one example of when a gun would be useful on a fighter. A couple of well-placed shots would soon show them they mean business.

Then the greedy airline would sue if damage was caused to the aircraft of course...

[Hagar]

Then the greedy airline would sue if damage was caused to the aircraft of course...

The idea is not to actually hit the aircraft. Start practicing.

[Craig.]

The idea is not to actually hit the aircraft. Start practicing.

LOL:)
Wonder what the airforce's position on warning shots is!

[Fozzer]

There can't be anything more devastating than an un-attended, solitary cell 'phone playing "Crazy Frog" stuck in an endless audio loop, and left in a passenger jet plane.
The ultimate terrorist's weapon.

Paul... ;)....!

"Hello, Allah. Is that you?".
"Mustapha Fone here. The deed is done"....>>>

http://web.archive.org/web/200306050900 ... ngdeng.swf

[C]

LOL:)
Wonder what the airforce's position on warning shots is!

3 weeks notification to be personally signed by the PM or his sidekick "Two Jags".

I think if the RAF fired any kind of shot, all the passengers would sue, the airline would sue, Mrs Miggins whose prize winning daffodils started to wilt as the shot was fired would sue. Every horse owner and rider would sue in a 300mile radius, and a coroner would suggest a helpline be set up to warn people of when and where future hijacking will be taking place... Whats more, it would be even more farcical as Mrs B (sorry, she's styling herself as our "First Lady" now) would probably quite happily represent them all against the MoD!