Animal: "I'm not clear if its an act of war from the chinese, the plane being a spy plane"
Guys, I have been there, done this, in the exact same spot 21 years ago. I've read this type of comment way to much in the last 2 days..so excuse me for jumping in one more time but it bugs the cr*p outta me!
I know something about Recon...at least as it WAS and I know most of the big stuff hasn't changed.
The plan being a Recon plane has NOTHING to do with this, either way. It is a perfectly legal, accepted practice by all major powers to use aircraft, ships, submarines, whatever,
in International Waters or Airspace to conduct surveillance of an electronic or optical nature.
The situation would be the same if this was a cargo plane, a tanker, a bomber or a fighter. It's a mid-air resulting in an aircraft in distress. That's it. That's all. Any way, that's what it SHOULD be. Who caused the mid-air is actually immaterial with regards to the aircraft in distress.
The key is "international airspace."
DB603: I really wish that the new president of US stops bullying around and seeks for a better solution than any kind of military action.DB, please provide current Bush quotes that
you consider "bullying around" and any that threaten "any kind of military action".
I haven't seen any like that but I'd like to read them if they are available.
Texace, mission tracks are almost always flown on autopilot coupled to the Nav system. You pretty much have to do it that way in order to get reliable position information to validate the "take" on the mission.
I'm wagering the EP-3 came to a programmed turn point and the fighter hit it as the a/p turned. I could be wrong, but this is what I suspect.
Most autopilots turn at a max of 25 degrees of bank at altitude and the roll in is usually a bit less than standard rate (3 degrees per second). So, figure an 7-8 second roll in to the max bank for the turn.
Not exactly sudden or real steep, is it?
Could have been totally different however, not enough info yet. But this would be pretty much "standard operating procedure".
Daff, the point is US trade is usually a very benficial deal for most of our trading partners and that's an understatement.
Cuba would be MUCH better off if we would trade with them. So would China. Hope they think about that.
Dowding: Be careful, Mr. Bush, the whole world is watching.What, no advice for the CHINESE?
Jeez, as IF this is OUR fault.
C'mon Dowding, what has Bush said or done so far that you consider inflammatory or dangerous?