Quote:
Originally Posted by MarchHare
It was almost certainly an accident.
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Negative, On the BUK weapon system, there is something very similar to what NATO uses that helps us differentiate Military from Civilian Aircraft.
Without breaking the law, I will describe it as best I can...
ALL Civilian airlines, especially international flights have one. They Squawk a Commercial identification code, and any transponder can pick it up and ID everything about that flight. Its tough to think the pilot was not squawking his IFF(Ident friend or Foe). If he was failing to do so over a "Hot Zone" ... well ... The BUK certainly has one. Weather or not the operator on the platform knows how to use it is another story.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch
I don't buy this at all. an An-26 cub is a turboprop is about a third the size of a 777, and its operating ceiling is significantly lower then the Malaysian flight was rumored to be flying.
The Buk has its own radar, the signature would be significantly different, and on top of that the Buk has a optical backup system that would be able to visually identify the plane even at that height. This backup system is used if the Radar system fails or is jammed. The optical system can be used for both normal and infrared passive tracking of the target.
As well the Malaysian flight's transponder would be squaking civilian flight and that would show up on the radar screen in the Buk.
Either these are the worst operators ever or this guy is lying.
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The first part of your statement is accurate. This is a process called ID Crit. Radar signature plays a huge part of it as well as other obvious factors such as altitude. On a AA platform, the second you go "hot" or "lockup" a target, you instantly get his altitude. That is a major part of knowing what is a threat or not.
The second bolded. - Im pretty sure I know the WORST operator EVER!