Originally Posted by
Yellow Son
Thanks, Stu666, I didn't know that. I imagine there's a speed limit, too, but I don't suppose that was relevant here..
At 58,000’ air density is thin such that the F-22 would need about 220 KEAS to stay airborne and have any maneuvering capability. That equivalent airspeed equals M 1.2 and 260-ish calibrated. All boils down to a true airspeed of around 670 knots. So, a gun attack, if the gun opened, would be closing on the target at about 1200 feet per second and would open fire around 2,000’ range. No room for safe escape, high risk of collision.
the next problem with the gun is projectile dispersion, risk of hitting the payload. 50,000’ is limit for opening the gun door.
The AIM-9X can guide of light contrast in addition to IR, and can be targeted by datalink from the F-22 radar.