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Old 03-06-2008, 08:30 AM   #11 (permalink)
Jimmy
Military Professional
 
Join Date: 11-16-05
Posts: 997
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BBBilly View Post
There is a lot more to it than just 'keeping up foreign relations' and exchanging centerfolds.
First of all, the a/c will NOT be identified as an enemy/hostile beforehand. Everybody has the right to fly over international waters ), so as long as they stay out of territorial waters (12nm) there is no violation of any law or regulation. The QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) will be sent up to investigate the type of aircraft, nationality and other details and report these back to its CRC (Control and Reporting Center).
What usually happens is that the QRA will join up with the A/C and try to contact it via Guard frequency or by handsignals to find out its intentions. Of course, friendly words will be exchanged and pictures will be taken (Aviation humor is worldwide... )
Today in most, if not all, cases, the a/c will turn around by itself before reaching national airspace. It it does not, the QRA will be ordered by the CRC to initiate a mission to force the A/C out of the airspace or make it land at a designated airbase. Several options are available in this case from voice warnings to engagement in the utter worst case...

Hope to have helped, first post to the forum so...
Nope, that's good info. There are established procedures, especially between the US/USSR back in the day, and US/Russia now. Attempted contact over Guard using established callsigns, specific codewords to explain the situation, etc.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bella View Post
Ah! The U-2 incident!!
What I have always loved what the SR-71 ability to fly into enemy territory without being shot down because it flew to high and fast!!
I love that plane!! It's to bad they retired it!!

By the way, does anyone know what would have replaced it???

I don't mean to get off topic!!

Thanks!!
Satellites, UAVs, and the U-2 (oddly enough).
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