Originally posted by APV97MCV91:
The Fokker 50 can indeed carry harpoons but then there are only 4 or 6 of them. The possibility of the Fokker penetrating the air defense zone around a fleet seemed rather remote and we should not think that the harpoon engagement will occur at the range of the harpoon itself but will instead be shorter than that. I seemed to recall that during the attack on the Sheffield, the Super Etendards illuminated the British ships using its onboard radar before launching the exocets and for that to happen and taking into account all factors such as the radar horizon, the LP would have to be shorter than the missile range.
Another query just popped into my mind. Was the Singapore A4 ever configured to carry Harpoons?In most of the exercises, the A4 seem to attack with dumb ordnance.
If there are any A4 pilots reading this post, I would love to hear from you the attack profile of the skyhawks in the maritime strike role.
Even if the Fokker attacks from within the launch umbrella of the Harpoon,it is still well out of reach of any shipboard SAMs in the region.The Harpoon's maximum range is 70,80 nautical miles? If the Fokker attacks at 20,30nm,it should be safe if there is not air cover for the enemy task force.Are there any strategic SAMs systems on board any of our neighbours? As for your comment about the limited number of Fokkers,half a dozen or so is enough when each aircraft carries two Harpoons and considering the size and competency of the fleets of our neighbours. This is not the Third Battle of the North Atlantic with multi-regiment attacks by Soviet Naval Aviations Backfires against US Carrier Battle Groups.But then again,there is never too much firepower,only too little.....Hahaha...