OT: In a modern day dogfight, how far can you visually see another fighter?

I got the need..... the need for a got dam answer to my question!

So only one answer up to this point?
 
Seems to me the dogs in the fight wouldn't be to concerned with seeing distance as they try to kill each other. More like how close the opponents teeth are to their throat
 
Gre
DougB said:
There is no single answer. First are you talking visually or electronically? Then it will depend on what you have covering your eyes and the type of canopy on your craft. And then there is the type, design and colors of the airplanes. The height above the surface will have an impact on the air density. The type of terrain the target plane has as a background will have an impact. And the contents of the sky with regard to density, smog, fog, smoke etc. and the type density and color of the clouds will also have an impact. Well I could go on but visual air to air, combat, is pretty much a thing of the past. The AWACS and more modern air control plans today have electronic awareness of the combat area and control the planes from miles away and the fighters are cleared to fire from miles away.

Or is your question about the WWII bombers and fighters? WWI combat pilots were for the most gentleman, but that is another story.

By the way I am retired USAF from the Tactical Air Command - was great stuff.
Click to expand...
Great explanation, at least for a non pilot like myself. My eyes are not good enough.
My other comment is- Thanks for serving the country! Virtual handshake!
 
Smoke said:
I thought Kong was the undisputed champ with fighter jets..... Or were they biplanes?
Click to expand...
You're right. On both counts. It depends on which year he made his movie. He has a new movie coming out too. Called Skull Island. He probably swato a couple newer ones down.
 
The answer depends.... On a clear day, with radar to guide your eyes, maybe 10-15 miles. With the temperature and moisture content enough that you are in the contrail layer, even further. The problem though is, in modern combat if you can see the other fighter, you're either already dead, or they are.
 
LEAVESOFGRASS said:
So only one answer up to this point?
Click to expand...

Depending on weather conditions and light 1 to 20 miles, think visibility - could be further if the culprit goes down in flames at dusk...

Grimmy
 
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
I love the silly question threads!
How dirty is the canopy on this fighter?
What kind of terrain is he over?
How much drinking did the pilot do before he took off?
How tall is the pilot?
 
Later when I am done styling the tree that I am working on and I fire up the Lockheed Martin / Boeing F22 Raptor that I currently have on loan from Macdill Airforce Base, sitting in my driveway... I will take it for a spin and let you know.

Although to be able to definitively give you an answer... I will have to call up the base and see if they don't mind bringing another one over for the day. As soon as my friend gets off work at UPS, which will be closer to 4- 4:30... I sure he won't mind taking them out again. Probably have to buy him a beer or two though for his time...

The base is really cool about us private citizens taking the planes out... all part of some new program it seems? I guess because all of the bitching over the years about military spending I have done... they are trying to woo me? Kinda like a customer appreciation day thing, I guess? I bitch and moan about my tax dollars being spent, and they try to ease my troubles with loans of the equipment I pay for, by actually being able to try them out every so often... to see where the money is going, and if it is all worth it? My wife hates it though, cause the one in the driveway is currently taking up her parking spot... and it really is a pain to wash... and try changing a fan belt on one of those! You quite literally have to pull pretty much the whole engine to do so!
 
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Looks just like the dog that latched on to my brother's Levi's when he was over the fence grabbing our Frisbee!! I had to jump the fence to distract him and then run and scramble back over!!
All while nursing some homemade frozen strawberry daiquiris!!
The only way to choke down cheap Bacardi!!!:confused::confused::confused::rolleyes:
 
M. Frary said:
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
I love the silly question threads!
How dirty is the canopy on this fighter?
What kind of terrain is he over?
How much drinking did the pilot do before he took off?
How tall is the pilot?
Click to expand...
What... is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
 
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