the true meaning of maximum speed
I think some people here don't quite undertand what Vne (under US/civil rules) actually means. The UK MoD (and in the past the CAA) does things slightly different.
the Vne is the maximum speed for which the aircraft is certified and can be defined by any criteria, it is not of itself a true measure of the actual absolute capability of the aircraft design, it certianly has no relationship with Vh (maximum level flight speed using max continuous power)
For any particluar type it could be defined by retreating blade stall considerations, component fatigue life considerations, handling characteristics, vibration or ride quality considerations.
There is no requirement in airworthiness terms that means Vne has to be achievable in level flightf or any particular weight and any performance inferrence shouldn't be made
For UK MoD aircraft the equivalent value is normally defined as Vno with a 10%MARGIN above that to Vne, however the requirements to be met at MoD Vne are way different to those for US/Civil certification (they are less as Vno pretty much means Vne (JAR)). Deliberate flight at speeds above Vno is normally prohibited but there is not a significant penalty if the value is inadvertantly exceeded (say due to a gust or AFCS runaway), but the UK MoD have different aircraft is service with Vmax (which means what?), Vno, Vne limitations so its actually as clear as mud what the limiting factors are.
DM
DM