Monty Python at the Ministry of Defense
I'm not sure if this is a plot from an old Monty Python skit or an actual news story:
The service has decided to issue ammunition to future Typhoon squadrons and train pilots in using the fighter's single German-made 27mm Mauser cannon, reversing its cost-cutting edict.
The decision follows experience in Afghanistan showing that guns are still one of the most effective weapons when supporting ground troops.
To get the full "Alice down the rabbit hole" affect you need to read the full story at the end of which it is revealed that the only reason the new Typhoon fighter still has a machine gun (or cannon if you prefer) is that it was too expensive to remove and re-engineer the plane when the MOD had decided they didn't need an old fashion gun on their shiney new airplane.
The service has decided to issue ammunition to future Typhoon squadrons and train pilots in using the fighter's single German-made 27mm Mauser cannon, reversing its cost-cutting edict.
The decision follows experience in Afghanistan showing that guns are still one of the most effective weapons when supporting ground troops.
To get the full "Alice down the rabbit hole" affect you need to read the full story at the end of which it is revealed that the only reason the new Typhoon fighter still has a machine gun (or cannon if you prefer) is that it was too expensive to remove and re-engineer the plane when the MOD had decided they didn't need an old fashion gun on their shiney new airplane.
posted by Steve at 5:45 PM
1 Comments:
We went through this one with the F-4 Phantom. Turns out cannon are also useful in dog fights at close distances, when missles are impractical. The US Air Force had lose several planes before they could and give to what the pilots wanted.
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