BUFF 8 Posted February 13, 2008 13-02-2008 A French Mirage jet crashed into the ocean after its pilot and navigator ejected from the plane when they noticed a technical problem, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday. The pilot and navigator were unharmed — one was picked up by a fishing boat while the other was taken in by coast guard officials, the ministry said in a statement. The two noticed a technical problem during a training flight Tuesday, and flew out over the Bay of Biscay off southwest France so the jet could crash without harming people or property, the ministry said. The Mirage 2000N was based in Luxeuil in the Burgundy region. The ministry said officials were to open an inquiry into what went wrong. International Herald Tribune Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GhostFighterBRASIL 0 Posted February 13, 2008 Men, the frenches are crazy.. go on youtube and see they "show"... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mannie 21 Posted February 13, 2008 The way thay fly, why am I not surprised? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FastCargo 412 Posted February 13, 2008 Well, regardless, glad to see everyone got out ok. FastCargo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nesher 628 Posted February 13, 2008 Well, regardless, glad to see everyone got out ok. FastCargo same here... :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+SidDogg 130 Posted February 13, 2008 The way thay fly, why am I not surprised? man, arr you kidding? THAT's HOW WE SHOULD FLY Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted February 13, 2008 One of their tactical nuke fighters, I don't think they've built any of those for awhile now. I don't know when or if the Rafale is scheduled to take over for it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viggen 644 Posted February 13, 2008 One of their tactical nuke fighters, I don't think they've built any of those for awhile now. I don't know when or if the Rafale is scheduled to take over for it. I read somewhere that the Rafale B (or was it D?) is supposed to be able to use the ASMP. That was back in 2004 though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mannie 21 Posted February 13, 2008 man, arr you kidding? THAT's HOW WE SHOULD FLY We??? what is this we thing? You are from Tacoma WA. arn't you American? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted February 14, 2008 Yeah, and that's his point. That the US should fly like the French. Something tells me there are some COs that disagree. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mannie 21 Posted February 14, 2008 Yeah, and that's his point. That the US should fly like the French. Something tells me there are some COs that disagree. If I may say, I also disagree with that. You don't have to be a stunt pilot to be a good one. Being a good stunt doesn't make you a good fighter as well. fact: stunt flying was never a strong point with the Israeli air force. Think about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted February 14, 2008 You tend to have higher attrition, possibly higher loss of pilots, and at a minimum more wear and tear on your airframes. Imagine how many F-15s might have been lost by now if they'd been flown like that?? That reminds me, any word on what the IDF/AF might have found with their fleet of F-15s as far as cracks or mis-manufactured longerons? The USAF isn't the only one with F-15s built in those years! Saudis and Japanese have them, too, although I think Japan built most of theirs...not sure how much of the work was done there of course. Might have used McD-supplied parts for some areas like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viggen 644 Posted February 14, 2008 Japanese have them, too, although I think Japan built most of theirs...not sure how much of the work was done there of course. Might have used McD-supplied parts for some areas like that. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries built all but 2 of the the F-15J/DJ Peace Eagles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mannie 21 Posted February 15, 2008 (edited) That reminds me, any word on what the IDF/AF might have found with their fleet of F-15s as far as cracks or mis-manufactured longerons? AFAIK nothing was found on the Israeli F-15s. maybe because thay where gone through BAZ 2000 program for upgrading them both in avionics and structural overall. That program started in 1995 and is still going on. Edited February 15, 2008 by MannieB. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted February 15, 2008 Yeah, in the early 90s we already had the replacement ATF program underway which was (at the time) to replace all the F-15A/Cs by the turn of the century. Instead it took a decade longer and we're only getting 1/4 as many F-22s. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mannie 21 Posted February 15, 2008 Well, I hope that the US wakes up, and fast. Some how I get the feeling that the US is loosing the edge. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted February 15, 2008 I don't know if "losing" is the appropriate term so much as "blunting"...use a sword enough without taking time to stop and sharpen it... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites