In article ,
"The Enlightenment" writes:

"Token" wrote in message
newsLTvb.81844$Dw6.391288@attbi_s02...
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/...ain/index.html

This story is claiming that a MANPAD hit a courier aircraft today.

If the story is correct it was an SA-7, I would think a 7b. Imagine
how
much better something designed in the last quarter century might do?

Horrifying for us all.

In this case, I don't think so. The warheads on the newer MANPADS
aren't any bigger, or, on the whole, much more differntly designed
than the ones you'll find on the SA-7/Redeye/Blowpipe. Where they're
more sopisticated is getting that warhead into proximity fuze range,
so that it goes off. In this case, the warhead went off. (There was
a case last summer involving an El Al jet where they didn't.)
Terminal effects are going to be the same.
The better ECCM adn guidance laws built into an SA-14, say, aren't
going to improve your Pk against a slow, unagile, and unaware target
like the DHL Airbus. You don't need that extra 10% for that kind of
target.


A few months ago there was a thread in here about heat seekers and
high
bypass ratio engines. Those certainly look like high bypass ratio
engines
to me.


I only saw a glimpse but it looked like an A310 with GE CF6 engines.

The RB211 engine might have a reasonable chance of obscuring the hot
exhaust nozzle as the shorter length of the Rolls Royce engines' 3
spool shaft allows the fan cowling to extend back beyond the exhaust
nozzle thus covering up hot metal completely. (RR use this technique
to reduce noise however)

And since the missile is more likely to be homing on the hot spot of
the exhaust plume, which is a bit behind the nozzle, I'd rather boupt
that wheterh it was a CF6 or an RB.211 would make any difference. A
direct hit on an engine isn't necessary - getting the warhead close
enough to fuze means that the fragments are going into the aircraft
right where all that side's fuel, hydraulics, electrical lines,
control rums, and, if appropriate, hot air bleeds are routed.
Anywhere on a large jet near the engines is a mighty tender spot.


--
Pete Stickney
A strong conviction that something must be done is the parent of many
bad measures. -- Daniel Webster