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FLAK
Sept 18, 2019 16:01:49 GMT -5
Post by StuB on Sept 18, 2019 16:01:49 GMT -5
I'm reading "Flying Warrior : My Life as a Naval Aviator During the Vietnam War" (on Scribd.com) and found the following passage about FLAK interesting....
"The Vigilante was hit a lot more than other aircraft because it flew so fast through barrage-sector fire. Barrage-sector fire occurred when the North Vietnamese radar operators saw our aircraft approaching their area. They communicated with the military commander in that region, and he issued orders for everyone in his sector to begin firing at the same time. Our approaching aircraft then flew through this curtain of the barrage-sector fire.
The flak curve chart that was developed for all of us flying over enemy territory showed that as the aircraft speed increased from two hundred and fifty knots to four hundred and fifty knots, the chances of getting hit decreased. Interestingly, as the speed increased past the four hundred and fifty knot level, the odds of taking a hit increased. That would happen because the aircraft was flying through more airspace in less time, with a constant rain of firing from the enemy. It seemed it was impossible to avoid being hit. "
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