Originally Posted by
Crocodile
Maybe you shouldn't comment on something that you have no knowledge of.
They use missles "to shoot it down". Missles are used because (a) It is easy; and (b) It does the job immediately. They don't want to just "shoot it down" - they want to blow it up and destroy it immediately.
Firing a "machine gun", or whatever, is generally an inefficient way to shoot down a large object, as it is likely to continue on at an unknown trajectory. From a strategic viewpoint, it is the optimal outcome is use missles to blow it up.
But, as QRC has said, the fighters are there for many other things in the first place.
Maybe you should chill and realize you won't be more of a man just because you feel your self-esteem is boosted when you put down another person.
1) I am from a military family and I know what I'm talking about. I am talking about "shooting a plane down", not "blowing it up in the air", that's new information. And even if you want to "blow it up", a machine gun fire (or cannon fire if you prefer) in the fuel tank will more than do that job. You do realize many commercial planes got blown up in the air because of bad fuel tank issues right? Or are you suggesting all planes that blew up in the air are done by secret military missiles that the gov'ts don't want us to know?
2) Your talk of "missiles" and "machine guns" and which is preferred is a joke. When missiles first came out there were a few arrogant "experts" that claimed the age of dog fights in the air is over (dueling it out with the guns), but they quickly realized counter measures, training, etc. can counter missiles and gun fights are still needed, and preferred, in some cases.
3) When you read please do the courtesy of reading the whole thing. I did not say the fighter isn't there to check out the cockpit, etc. I ADDED that the fighter is more than capable of shooting it down should the need arises, no need to scramble another missile fight jet in the air.
Why are some people so hostile in this forum and feel like it's their duty to play forum cop is beyond me.