Blix says Iraq refusing U2 spy flights

HA'ARETZ ^ | January 20th, 2003

[Mossad1967]

Top UN weapons inspector Hans Blix said on Monday Iraq had refused to allow reconnaissance flights by U2 aircraft over its territory to aid inspectors in their search for any weapons of mass destruction...

[ImphClinton]

Amazing that Iraq will not even allow unmolested U2 flights.


His arrogance in unbelievable.


Europeans are so stupid. Of course this is the same people who allowed Hitler to control the entire continent. You would think they would thank us but NNNNNOOOOO.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

U2's or B52's. Saddam can pick one.

[Robert_Paulson2]

geosynchronized virtually park.

but if telling folks that satellites don't work, keeps anybody off balance... just keep talking about schedules.

[Poohbah]

geosynchronized virtually park.

At the expense of losing all ground resolution...

[Poohbah]

U2's or B52's. Saddam can pick one.

So, you're saying he has a choice between "Bullet the Blue Sky" and "Love Shack?" Between "Where the Streets Have No Name" and "Rock Lobster?"

[OReilly]

I just did a Ctrl-F on this thread, to see if anyone has used the trump card of "This U2 crapola impugns the dignity of the Iraqi People" and although it might show that we are still cheating, lying, retreating and obfuscating, we object to this on the basis that only the USA can do this, and that impugns the "dignity" of all Arabs.

[sheik yerbouty]

yee haaa! Ain't that purty!

[RichInOC]

"Su-PRIIIIII-ise!"
"Parrrrrrr-tay!"
"Where's the anthrax?"
"Where's the plague?"

[glock rocks]

yee haw! look up!

[1stFreedom]

At this point, I don't see why they don't just release the numbers. I've heard of it going mach 3.5 before. I'm sure it would hit 4 if pushed.

This plane is still, IMO, the slickest plane out there. I think it was also way ahead of it's time. I wonder what the Russians thought when they first saw a picture of it! I'd have loved to have been there!!

[OReilly]

I wonder what the Russians thought when they first saw a picture of it! I'd have loved to have been there!!

We recorded the reaction on tape at the time, but had to bleep too much of it out...

[Momaw Nadon]

Attack on Iraq Betting Pool

[sheik yerbouty]

Whoops!

[Long Cut]

The BLACKBIRD's numbers are officially classified until 2020. My best guess is a top speed, full-power dash of Mach 4.1, with an absolute service ceiling of 125,000 feet, but that's based on anecdotal accounts. For the audience, this is about 4,000 mph.

We have, of course, forgotten to mention the OTHER possibility...that the BLACKBIRD's replacement might be used. Remember AURORA?

I wouldn't expect her to be even acknowledged until after the Terror War is solidly OVER. AURORA's numbers are anyone's guess, but mine, based on pure speculation and a B.S. in aeronautical science, is a cruising speed of Mach 5.5, top end at Mach 7. Service ceiling of 150,000 feet.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

So, you're saying he has a choice between "Bullet the Blue Sky" and "Love Shack?" Between "Where the Streets Have No Name" and "Rock Lobster?"

LOL. He'd probably want to shag the blond or red from B52'S!! Being a humanitarian, I'd have to 'splain it to him -- B52's would mean multiple kilotons of explosives dropped from the heavens, not the "bombshells" he had in mind . :O)

[OrioleFan]

I guess Iraq is going to blanket the skies over Iraq with magic carpets and shoot em down.

[NormsRevenge]

She's a beauty! From http://www.cyber-north.com/ufo/aurora.html

According to one retired DOD official, "With the SR-71 Blackbird, they knew we were there but they couldn't touch us. With Aurora, they won't even know we're there!" Lockheed has been studying hypersonic aircraft, Mach 4 to Mach 7, with operational ceiling of up to 250,000 feet (47.3 miles) for years, so it should come as no surprise that squadrons of Auroras are now flying.

47.3 miles up? Wow!!!

[yianni]

Whats Aurora?

1. A town in Colorado.
2. The shortened version of Aurora Borealis
3. The popular name for the SR-71's hypothetical replacement

There is a town in WNY called East Aurora. There is no Aurora.

[Don W]

BTW, service ceiling (for those who don't know) is the altitude at which an aircraft's maximum rate of climb drops to under 1000 feet per minute. It is NOT the maximum altitude attainable. At least that's what I remember from cadet ground school.......

[FBD]

This was a fascinating thread to read. I admired the thoughtful insights on the logistics of flying reconn. over hostile territory.
Good posts, guys, and thanks for the education!

Long Cut, congratulations on your soon to be born baby!
FBD