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From: (no name) (no email)
Date: Sun Feb 02 2003 - 01:12:02 EST
In a message dated 30-Jan-03 08:26:51 Eastern Standard Time,
writes:
> I noticed that Norm. But I (and probably any terrorist) assumed that there
> was probably fighter aircraft in the area that could/would intercept any
> unauthorized aircraft entering the area. How do you know there was not?
> Anyway, the real reason was probably to alleviate any concerns people had
> of a possible attack and to perhaps dissuade anybody contemplating such an
> attack.
I don't know the radius of the no-fly zone, but guess it is a mile or two.
This distance would be traversed in two minutes by a slow 120 Kt airplane.
There would be hesitation about whether this was really an act of terror in
progress or just some innocent weekend flyer wandering where he shouldn't be.
Visual contact would be necessary and an attempt to escort the trespasser
out of the zone. By the time a fighter responded and all this was done I
imagine would be too late, especially if there was some diversion done at the
same time. Besides, there was no mention of a fighter on the news and you
can be sure the news media would jump on that photo op!
In addition, if the attacking plane was high up it could initiate a ballistic
course so that even if the aircraft was broken up, the payload may not be
destroyed but continue on to its target much like with the scud missiles in
the Gulf war.
I agree with you. It was just BS to make the public think that *they* were
doing *something* to stop the terrorists. But I feel it was totally
ineffective.
It reminds me of the *measures* taken along Carrier Row in Norfolk after
9/11. *They* strung out a floating rope, like is used in swimming pools to
mark the shallow end, about 200 yards from the ships and had a patrol boat
with some guys with guns roaming around. If I were a terrorist and wanted to
harm a ship I would simply load up a high speed Cigarette style boat with jet
drives (no protrusions under the hull to catch the floating line) with a half
ton of high explosives and a remote control on the throttle and steering. A
couple of dummies in the cockpit and some armor plate around the engine.
Zoom it along the channel at high speed until the belly of the target carrier
was open on the bow then turn and head right for the hull. Short of a heavy
weapon already trained on the speedboat, nothing would stop it before it
reached it's target.
Norm
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