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Subject:
Seaplanes
wagner95696
1/9/2004 12:28:06 AM
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| A modern seaplane does not need to be a high performance aircraft. PGM's mean that what is needed for anti-surface warfare is endurance, a moderate payload, and a fairly good radar system. A P-3 Orion so equipped is a serious threat to any naval ship without air cover. A seaplane would have the same advantage. If an aircraft has good enough electronics to detect the target before coming within range of its anti-aircraft system the plane will always have the advantage. Ever notice how easy it is for seabirds to catch the fish but how rare it is for the fish to catch the bird?
Most of the world's navies do not have carrier air and are therefore vulnerable.
Even modern fighters would be wise to give a seaplane armed with a good radar and a few long range AAM's a wide berth. In this age of PGM's the performance of the launch platform has become less important than that of the weapons. |
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