[Freeport]

The Russian trained Serbians figured this out when they shot down that F-117. Several long wave search radars where used, from different locations, to localize the aircraft's flight path via triangulation. Since they knew about where they would be flying, thanks to Clinton following LBJ's “Thou shall fly here!” mentality, they were able to localize the aircraft and saturate the area with missiles & got a lucky hit.

20+ years later, and the same idea is used, but with more advanced long-wave seekers on the missiles. The ground based systems illuminate the area and the missiles ride the beams to the target area, detonate and, well, if you throw enough HE into an area, you will hit something without the need for a high confidence target “lock”.

Does it use up missiles, yup, but compared to an F-22 or F-35, they're rock cheep!

And since I can make lots of missiles really fast...

[PapaBear3625]

20+ years later, and the same idea is used, but with more advanced long-wave seekers on the missiles. The ground based systems illuminate the area and the missiles ride the beams to the target area, detonate and, well, if you throw enough HE into an area, you will hit something without the need for a high confidence target “lock”.

And if the missile has a tactical nuke or neutron warhead, it doesn't even need to get all that close.

[Spktyr]

Yup, I remember reading about that, but there were people at the time pointing out that it was the 117, the oldest stealth tech, etc., etc. It wasn’t until somewhat later that it was found that this worked against the B-2 as well. IIRC, that was sometime around 2003.

[X-spurt]

Who would not think counter measures are developed or in the works?

Who should have the greatest concern for the Chinese? Those nearby and especially anyone connected by land and have significant energy resources, position number one, Pooty.

[jttpwalsh]

The Russian trained Serbians figured this out when they shot down that F-117.

---

I have heard that the Serbians also had spotters, just outside the perimeter, at the Aviano air base, who called home, every time one took off. Incredibly, the F-117s took the same route, almost every time. Once a time line was established, it was even easier to hit one, along with the tactics you mention.

I have also heard that the reason, a short time later, the Chinese embassy was ‘accidentally’ hit by a U.S. precision guided ordinance, is because the CIA learned that that the remnants of the F-117 were inside, being examined by Chicom techs.

I can’t vouch for this, personally, but it doesn’t sound impossible. Thanks.