"System Failure Is Blamed In U.S. Downing Of British Jet"

In message , fudog50
writes
I have worked at det sites with the RAF, they are incredible,
top notch. However,in my opinion and experience they are willing to
accept a little more risk than we normally do. The question is: Was
there an adequate, reliable and accurate check of the Tornadoe's IFF
system before it left the deck?

From the accident report:-

"The ground engineering check on ZG710’s encrypted Mode 4 IFF was
completed satisfactorily pre-engine start, and an RAF Regiment Rapier
Missile unit that regularly checked the IFF of departing aircraft did
not report the aircraft or log a fault. In line with extant procedures,
only Mode 4 was checked on the ground. However, there is no firm
evidence that ZG710 responded to any IFF interrogations throughout the
entire mission, although there is evidence that the navigator checked
the IFF switches at the appropriate times."

--
When you have to kill a man, it costs nothing to be polite.
W S Churchill

Paul J. Adam MainBoxatjrwlynch[dot]demon{dot}co(.)uk

"Kevin Brooks" wrote in
:

Curiousity compels me to ask--were you one of the guys claiming
it was just another case of trigger-happy Patriot engagement after it
went down?


Nope, feel free to google it (though I doubt you have the desire to do
so, I certainly don't!) but my stance from day one has been that it was a
fog of war tragedy. Although I will admit to a wry smile when a couple of
days later an F-16CJ fired on a Patriot radar system (I think I'm right
in saying no-one was hurt in that incident, do you remember anything?).
Just another chain of events in large scale operations that come together
at the worst possible moment and create the worst possible outcome for
those involved.

--
Regards
Drewe
"Better the pride that resides
In a citizen of the world
Than the pride that divides
When a colourful rag is unfurled"

the report is at Military Aircraft Accident Summary for Tornado GR4A
ZG710 http://www.mod.uk/linked_files/publi.../maaszg710.pdf

"Drewe Manton" wrote in message
. 4...
"Kevin Brooks" wrote in
:

Curiousity compels me to ask--were you one of the guys claiming
it was just another case of trigger-happy Patriot engagement after it
went down?


Nope, feel free to google it (though I doubt you have the desire to do
so, I certainly don't!) but my stance from day one has been that it was a
fog of war tragedy. Although I will admit to a wry smile when a couple of
days later an F-16CJ fired on a Patriot radar system (I think I'm right
in saying no-one was hurt in that incident, do you remember anything?).

IIRC the radar got trashed, but no injuries to personnel. ISTR that incident
*was* a case of "RoboPatriot" screwing up...

Just another chain of events in large scale operations that come together
at the worst possible moment and create the worst possible outcome for
those involved.

Agreed. But some of your fellow countrymen were quite a bit more accusatory
(and one-sided in those accusations) in the immediate aftermath--and they
are strangely quiet now.

Brooks


--
Regards
Drewe
"Better the pride that resides
In a citizen of the world
Than the pride that divides
When a colourful rag is unfurled"