Pentagon: Chinese Fighter Jet Flew Dangerously Close To U.S. Aircraft

a reply to: RedParrotHead

You don't do that around a plane that is based on a commercial airliner, carrying 15-20 people on board. That's how you end up with another midair collision like with the EP-3 that had to land on Hainan. So yes, we have a problem with it. It's dangerous, and it's stupid. The P-8 doesn't have the maneuverability to get out of the way if the Chinese pilot screws up and gets too close.

This is a hell of a lot more maneuverable than this ever will be. When you do something like that, there is zero margin for error.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Not to reference Top Gun again...but...

Iceman: You two really are cowboys.
Maverick: What’s your problem, Kazanski?
Iceman: You’re everyone’s problem. That’s because every time you go up in the air, you’re unsafe. I don’t like you because you’re dangerous.
Maverick: That’s right! Ice… man. I am dangerous.

...of course you're right and all...although you have to admit that if there's zero margin for error then that Chinese pilot was quite the, well, maverick! Forgive me, it's Friday

a reply to: Zaphod58

The EP-3 is one bird that the really wanted to get their hands on. It wouldn't not surprise me if that little mid-air rubbing was intentional to force the Emergency landing. That must have been nerve racking for the crew, not only are they in a plane that could crash, they also were obligated to destroy everything they could before the Chinese got to take a looksy.

Haven't heard anything about an EP-8....if there is one, they are doing one hell of a job keeping her hidden.

a reply to: jrod

Yeah, and having to do it while prepping for an emergency landing, in a less than friendly country only made it worse. That's why they didn't get to so much of what was on board. I really wouldn't be surprised in the least if he was ordered to thump them, and pushed too far and actually hit them instead.

There isn't one yet. They're testing the AAS on one, but it's not close to operational yet. They're still trying to sell the Navy on a true EP-8 platform though.