08-16-2003, 05:23 PM
It depends on the warhead and the "roll."
OK, 4 nice hot engines to hit. Pick one. It either goes up the exhaust, or the warhead detonates "near" the engine. Let's assume a blast frag war head.
Hot metal all over the place, and at least on engine gone south.
Three. Did the wing root get hit? As not a Radar missile, probably not.
Holes in the cabin? LIkely. Depressurization not a bad problem at <10,000 b feet MSL.
Holes in oil, fuel, and hydraulic lines?
Depends on the 'saving throw' rolled by the airliner.
Holes in the fuel tank sufficient to cause ignition of fuel and blow it up?
That depends on the roll from the missile: where did the rest of it, and its remaining unexpended fuel end up? Embedded in the side of the aircraft? Stuck in an engine? Did the engine being blow up cause structural damage to the wing?
So, on a 4 engine bird, lots of chances to make it back to the ground.
On the two enging bird, like a lot of late models . . . thrust loss and assymetry could be a singnificant problem at the high angles of attack on departure, where you are closest to stall speed.
It's a bit of a lottery.
OK, 4 nice hot engines to hit. Pick one. It either goes up the exhaust, or the warhead detonates "near" the engine. Let's assume a blast frag war head.
Hot metal all over the place, and at least on engine gone south.
Three. Did the wing root get hit? As not a Radar missile, probably not.
Holes in the cabin? LIkely. Depressurization not a bad problem at <10,000 b feet MSL.
Holes in oil, fuel, and hydraulic lines?
Depends on the 'saving throw' rolled by the airliner.
Holes in the fuel tank sufficient to cause ignition of fuel and blow it up?
That depends on the roll from the missile: where did the rest of it, and its remaining unexpended fuel end up? Embedded in the side of the aircraft? Stuck in an engine? Did the engine being blow up cause structural damage to the wing?
So, on a 4 engine bird, lots of chances to make it back to the ground.
On the two enging bird, like a lot of late models . . . thrust loss and assymetry could be a singnificant problem at the high angles of attack on departure, where you are closest to stall speed.
It's a bit of a lottery.
Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the Men 'O War!
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete