Quote:
Originally Posted by IgiTang
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.
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When I said it was almost certainly an accident, I meant that the SAM operators likely didn't intend to shoot down a commercial airliner carrying nearly 300 civilians. Nobody has anything to gain from that. This tragedy was either caused by inexperienced rebels not knowing how to properly operate the BUK system or Russian or Ukrainian forces making a terrible mistake akin to the US Navy shooting down Iran Air 655.