I believe the Lightning even had a data link where the ground controller could control the intercept via the link rather than R/T. We were target on one occasion where the link was down but the controller gave the computer directions by voice.
It was quite instructive: heading such, flight level such, accelerate to Mach 1.6 now, turn to deg now, climb now etc. As we were non-manoeuvring it went like clockwork but I don't if it ever became fully operational.
I also remember one exercise where our OC Admin, a Navigator, got a ride in a T-bird (T4) and spent some hours on the ORP at Binbrook listening to the Telebrief - "Raids Imminent" - all the while watching bombers stream through the overhead. No doubt they had been splashed by fighter or SAM.
Finally they were scrambled against a target and went to Fl400 where they identified a civair in the Blue Way. Just 40 miles from base they were Bingo and RTB.
Last edited by Pontius Navigator; 25th July 2012 at 20:02.