-Caveat Lector- from: http://www.stratfor.com/crisis/kosovo/special10.htm <A HREF="http://www.stratfor.com/crisis/kosovo/special10.htm">Kosovo Crisis - Special Reports</A> ----- Stratfor.com 504 Lavaca Suite 1100 Austin, TX 78701 Phone and Fax: 800.308.5825 (Sales) 512.583.5000 (Main) 512.583.5025 (Fax) Homepage: www.stratfor.com E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] � 1998, 1999 Stratfor, Inc. All rights reserved Implications of an SA-3 Shoot Down of Stealth 29 March 99 - 0736 GMT The U.S. Defense Department has thus far refused to comment on how the F-117 Stealth Fighter might have been shot down over Serbia, however, speculation has centered around Yugoslavia's SA-3 surface to air missile batteries. The F-117 wing being shown on Serbian television is peppered with irregularly sized and spaced holes, suggesting the aircraft was brought down by shrapnel from a large proximity fuzed warhead. While this could have resulted from either an air to air missile or large caliber anti-aircraft artillery, Serb attempts at interception have thus far ended up as one way trips to the ground and AAA in the concentrations the Serbs can employ would have had to be very good or very lucky to bring down the Stealth. This leaves SAMs, and particularly the SA-3. The SA-3 is a low to medium altitude SAM, fired from a static launcher. It has a maximum effective horizontal range of 22-25km and a maximum effective altitude of 12-18km, depending on the missile variant. Initial targeting comes from separate, van-mounted long-range radar, which feeds information to a trailer mounted fire control radar. The missile itself has a doppler radar proximity fuze. If an SA-3 did down the F-117, it would indicate that, for the right high-value target, the Serbs are now willing to utilize the anti-air assets they have until now been withholding. With three separate radars, the SA-3 in action makes a bright shiny target for any SEAD mission operating in support of the F-117 bombing mission. More interesting than the willingness of the Serbs to use the SA-3 at this time is the apparent fact that the missile�s fixed launch site was not previously identified by NATO reconnaissance and destroyed. Of course, the most interesting feature of this incident is the fact that, unless a lucky altitude or time-fuzed AAA round or an infrared AAM downed the F-117, the supposedly radar stealthy aircraft was apparently destroyed by an active radar guided weapon. There are three possible explanations of this. First, the Stealth is not invisible to radar, it just produces a very small radar signature. Maybe it was not small enough. Second, there have been allegations that the Stealth�s radar-absorbing paint is ineffective or at least less effective in the rain � something akin to the invisible man walking through paint. Finally, Russian scientists recently claimed to have developed a radar that can detect stealth aircraft. If this is true, and played a role in the shoot-down, it would mean that Russia is not only violating the arms embargo against Yugoslavia, but is sending the very latest state-of-the-art equipment to the Serbs. [subscribe to the FREE Global Intelligence Update] [read from the Global Intelligence Update archives] ----- Aloha, He'Ping, Om, Shalom, Salaam. Em Hotep, Peace Be, Omnia Bona Bonis, All My Relations. Adieu, Adios, Aloha. Amen. Roads End Kris DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
