[Yo-Yo]

Monday morning quarterbacking here but I really wish they could have deflated the balloon without blowing up the “payload”. That way the payload could have fallen intact (at least until impact with the water) with its terminal velocity somewhat slowed by the deflated balloon acting as a “streamer”.

Yeah, I know what you mean, but the fact is that the F-22 was at around 59,000 feet moving mach 1.2, and the balloon was at 64,000 feet moving at 15 knots. The Sidewinder was fired 8 miles away from the target.

There is no weapon that the F-22 can carry that would be able to target the balloon that precisely.

[larrytown]

There is no weapon that the F-22 can carry that would be able to target the balloon that precisely.

Seems like their 20mm cannon could have done the job fine, and potentially not shredded the payload.

[FtrPilot]

There is no weapon that the F-22 can carry that would be able to target the balloon that precisely.

I agree.

I'm surprised FRANK 1 didn't call the "Fox", just the "Splash".

2:23: FRANK01: FRANK copy. We are jackal sour. We are timber sweet with you. However, we are not seeing any 12-sixes from you.

2:33: EAGLE01: Eagle copy. I’m gonna take some space and try to have a good run-in to see if we get 12-sixes off three mikes.

Anyone know what "12-sixes" are?

How about "12-sixes off three mikes"?