What is point of military escort?

[frostbite]

As has happened recently, when a pilot reports a certain type of incident, military jets are sent to escort the aircraft to a landing.

But seriously, what can they do?

OK, they could shoot the aircraft down (highly unlikely, even if they have live armaments), or what?

Are there any other options in the face of , say, a determined hijacker?

[Getoutofmygalley]

In the event of a situation where a hijacker or whatever has exploded some kind of device, the military aircraft pilot can provide the captain with information on damage to the aircrafts control surfaces etc.

The military jet isn't just there to shoot down the 'renegade' airliner, it is also there to be a set of outside eyes for the flight crew.

[Dream Land]

There to protect the public, i.e., shoot down the aircraft.

[iamhere]

In the "Good Old Days" they were there to escort the aircraft and intimidate the HiJackers.

Today; er, The fighter is there to do all the above. And To Shoot It Down Befor It Can Be Crashed Into Someones (like you or me) Local Town Causing Mass Death And Distruction.

There IS A WAR going on out there!
If its got the BAD guys in it then = SHOOT IT DOWN.

[helopat]

There IS A WAR going on out there!
If its got the BAD guys in it then = SHOOT IT DOWN.

Is it as simple as that for you? Just black and white? :confused: Or are you yanking our collective chain. I'm sure the pilots have very specific ROE, but I doubt if its as simple as shoot down the 747 with 500 innocent civilians aboard just because theres a baddie aboard...unless it meets the ROE, then bad luck for all I suppose:( .

HP

[Jinkster]

Depends if its RAF or USAF on your wing tips!!

:ooh:

Sorry just watched Hollywood film!! :ouch:

[chevvron]

Was gonna say who saw Airforce One last night!

[Jinkster]

Have a wild guess ;)

[jayteeto]

You say 'highly unlikely' for a shootdown. I tend to disagree on the likely outcome of a hijack........:uhoh:

[BellEndBob]

If you want to deter, then sometimes you have to demonstrate the intent and capability for 'wider' consumption.

A form of 'advertising' if you like.

[NIMFLT]

You shoot down an airliner carrying 500 people and the terrorists have a (another) win.

PS: You'd have to wait until we had an aircraft capable of carrying 500 people. (747SR excepted)!

[Pierre Argh]

There IS A WAR going on out there!
If its got the BAD guys in it then = SHOOT IT DOWN. Probably got a lot of good guys, good gals and very good babies in it too! How can you be so blase? The WAR as you call it is a farce, a name dreamt up by some half-witted politicians (they know who they are) to justify attrocities in the name of peace and democrasy, which IMHO have made the world a much less safer place.

[theresalwaysone]

Please note RAF escorts are only available Mon to Friday from 09.00 to 17.00(16.30 on Fridays)

[DelaneyT]

As has happened recently, when a pilot reports a certain type of incident, military jets are sent to escort the aircraft to a landing.

But seriously, what can they do?


Nothing. Its all for political show.

I doubt any military pilot would actually pull the trigger on an airliner he knew to be full of innocent civilians.
:rolleyes:

[hobie]

I doubt any military pilot would actually pull the trigger on an airliner he knew to be full of innocent civilians.


even if it was heading straight for a Nuclear Power station? .....

I wonder? .... :confused:

[DelaneyT]

even if it was heading straight for a Nuclear Power station? .....

I wonder? .... :confused:

Nuke Plants are designed to withstand aircraft hits (... at least in the U.S.). Plus under any circumstances, the military pilot could never know with certainty that his tragic actions would prevent a greater tragedy.

Nevertheless, the primary question is one of ethics. Is it OK to deliberately kill innocents, in hopes of saving other innocents ?
:sad:

[fireflybob]

I doubt any military pilot would actually pull the trigger on an airliner he knew to be full of innocent civilians

Even when the Commander-in-Chief orders that said aircraft is shot down?

[GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU]

Commander in Chief? Are we narrowing this down to a particular Country now?

[Harrier46]

I doubt any military pilot would actually pull the trigger on an airliner he knew to be full of innocent civilians.

Why not, it has been done before. And I have no doubt in the right circumstances it would be done again. Remember, there are more than two countries facing threats from terrorists so let's widen the discussion to include them also.

[Needlesplit]

I doubt any military pilot would actually pull the trigger on an airliner he knew to be full of innocent civilians.
:rolleyes:

No! - go on - you really believe that! :ugh: :ugh: :ugh: ...strewth!!!!!!!

In the HIGHLY unlikely event that you managed to find ONE fully trained, fully armed, fast jet pilot under ORDERS to fire who failed to do so then his mates would certainly, happily and QUICKLY put their coffee down and pop along to finish the job. (If his wingman didnt get in there first)

Following their [legal] orders [and this would be legal] is what they have TRAINED to do and thats what they WANT to do and dont let anyone tell you otherwise!:=

[brisdude]

mm i'd like to think those whos jobs it is to protect airspace are capable of following a order. also in that flight 93 movie (bull**** as it is) the F-16 actor reakons his 20mm cannon "could perhaps cripple" the b757. what you all reakon? you'd think it'd be able to saw the thing in half but i dunno much bout it

[BigGrecian]

Nuke Plants are designed to withstand aircraft hits (... at least in the U.S.)

So were the world trade centres.

[Özcan]

So were the world trade centres.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5946593973848835726

the part about the actual collapse of the buildings is pretty interesting

[Raymond Ginardon]

Following their [legal] orders [and this would be legal] is what they have TRAINED to do and thats what they WANT to do and dont let anyone tell you otherwise!:=

Are you saying that mil combat pilots WANT to shoot down airliners full of people?

Ray

[DelaneyT]

....regarding today's crash of a light general-aviation aircraft into a tall apartment building in New York City: Fighter planes were scrambled over several cities across the country in the aftermath of the crash, despite the quick assurances that it was nothing more than an accident. `We see this as a prudent measure at this time`, said Sgt. Claudette Hutchinson, a spokeswoman for the North American Aerospace Defense Command in Colorado Springs, Colorado