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Okay, I figured I'd get some info before I dived into this. You remember thread I did on the British Typhoons not having functional guns, right? The original thread on The High Road that I got it from has been debating the use of a gun. There are several people that have argued that with the reliability of modern missiles and avionics, there's no need for a gun, and no need to get up close to visually identify a plane, etc.

I know a little bit, and from what I've gathered in bits and pieces is that there is still a minimum range even with missiles like the AIM-9X. Doubly so with the radar guided missiles. I basically figured I'd get a straight scoop before I dive in.

Here's the link, in case any of you would like to jump in directly:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.p ... ht=Typhoon

"Some pup"
Nickname by Fenderstrat72

_________________
Evil is evil, no matter how small.

Tell them this...

TWO WORDS: Strafing run.

"I came here to kick ass and chew bubblegum...and i'm all out of bubblegum".

It's already been mentioned.

"Some pup"
Nickname by Fenderstrat72

_________________
Evil is evil, no matter how small.

Another word: Viet Nam.

It's obvious who's learned from history and who hasn't.

Livin' life in the fast lane and just passed a blur reading "BRIDGE OUT!"

Another three words...Chics dig hosing...

"It's already been mentioned."

And they're still arguing with you?

Obviously none of them have never been in need of CAS before.

"I came here to kick ass and chew bubblegum...and i'm all out of bubblegum".

Well, they were arguing with each other. I haven't gotten into it yet, I figured I'd do somethign original and came here to get information on how shooting missiles works, to explain that you still need a gun for air to air.

Vietnam saw the very first air to air missiles, and I've seen stuff about the performance of the AIM-7 at the time that's really negative. I also understand that missiles are reliable enough now that it's not such a big deal, but I'm sure that a gun is still warranted in situations other than strafing targets of oppurtunity.

"Some pup"
Nickname by Fenderstrat72

_________________
Evil is evil, no matter how small.

Perhaps I should rephrase my question:
Are there instances in air to air combat that prevent the practical use of missiles, even today? With such instances justifying continuing to have a gun on the aircraft. Which would make a Typhoon pilot very badly want to have a gun on the aircraft.

"Some pup"
Nickname by Fenderstrat72

_________________
Evil is evil, no matter how small.

Yeah, if the range is too close for the missile's minimum range.

"Molon labe".
Leonidas, King of Sparta,
Thermopylae, 480 B.C.

Also because pilots can never have to many phalic symbols at their disposal.

By this time tomorrow I shall have gained either a pearage or Westminster Abbey........Nelson

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YGBSM !