Roadway ops mitigate one of the big weaknesses of modern warplanes: their air bases. There’s no way to hide a 5,000-acre air base with a 10,000-foot runway.
In any major war between high-tech foes sharing a border, both sides can expect the other to target its air bases.
Look closely at a Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter while it’s landing. As it touches down on its reinforced landing gear, doors close over its gaping air-intakes while gates openof the intakes. This system prevents rocks and other “foreign object debris,” or FOD, from wrecking the jet’s engines while it’s operating from a dirty roadway.
On the first night of Russia’s wider war on Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the Ukrainian air force—tipped off by NATO intelligence—scattered its jets to outlying airstrips and roadways, saving them from the missile barrages that initiated the Russian invasion.. Every time the Russians lob missiles at a Ukrainian air base, the Ukrainians simply vacate the base before the missiles arrive.
To operate at full weight, an F-16 needs 2,500 feet of clean runway. And it has no anti-FOD system. Indeed, its gaping under-fuselage intake practically gobbles debris.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ahsoka Brought Back Star Wars' Opening Crawl For A Very Good & Specific ReasonWhy did Ahsoka bring back the opening crawl?
Read more »
Yellowstone Wolves Caught on Camera Bringing 'Toys' Home to Their PupsThe wolf has good reason.
Read more »
Usher on Celebrating Atlanta Culture in 'Good Good' Video (Exclusive)Usher takes ET inside his music video for 'Good Good' feat 21 Savage and Summer Walker, talks Las Vegas residency and upcoming album.
Read more »
10 Best Movies & TV Shows Based On DocumentariesA good documentary can have good adaptations too.
Read more »
Trump Points to Dominating Poll Numbers as Reason for Skipping DebateDonald Trump told Tucker Carlson that he skipped the Fox News debate because of perceived bias at the network and his strong poll numbers.
Read more »