Two F16s collide in Cobra Gold exercise above Chaiyaphum

[Nereus]

There are many different systems that can be called "air navigation unit".

Until they admit what the cause was I humbly suggest it is probably one of these:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airborne_c ... nce_system

Those TCAS systems warn you about other aircraft that you don't know about but obviously in a military situation like this they don't really help if you're formation flying or practicing dog fighting where no technical system is really going to keep you out of danger.

So why does the US Airforce bother fitting them to their F16`s?

[STEVE G]

So why does the US Airforce bother fitting them to their F16`s?

It's mandatory in many places if you want to fly in controlled airspace so the military use it for transit flying and that sort of thing. You can get a system that is selectable for military IFF and civil mode 'S' TCAS.
It's a very good system but it wont stop two hotshot pilots from flying into each other!

[PeteC]

Just an FYI, no F-18's buzzing about yet for this Cobra Gold. They're usually in and out of U-Tapao in groups from their carrier during these exercises. Maybe budget considerations. Good!...work on that bloody deficit!!! Pete

[charlesh]

Probably playing "chicken" after watching Tom Cruze in Top"Cobra".
American planes and helicopters have a reputation of falling out of the sky too and if maintained by locals could be yet another consideration.

[margaretcarnes]

Dumb blonde question coming up - if they did collide how come they had time to eject?

It could have been just wing tip to wing tip Mags. I have visions of two hot-dogging pilots feeling their oats during the yearly big military exercise. Pete

EDIT; For clarity, many times these planes fly in very close formation. It's not unknown, in fact a common cause of accidents, that they sometimes fly too close and something from one touches another causing a crash. Indeed Mags, if it had been a head on collision or head to side, there wouldn't have been any ejection.

Yes - understood Pete. I used to live nearby the Red Arrows base in the UK and have known 2 of them 'buzz' my bus! Little tinkers scared everyone sh'tless! And have in fact had wingtip incidents.

[PeteC]

Over a month and the story has been dead for weeks. They ran into each other, no doubt at all, which now makes it a non-story and never happened. Pete

[Spitfire]

It's not being talked about probably because the air force/army don't want to publish anything from their investigation as it might reveal ineptitude on behalf of someone and face would be lost, people/organisations might start wanting those officers/pilots responsible relieved of command etc. Easier to say nothing as nobody will question them, best for them to keep it 'in-house' so to speak.

They (armed forces) probably see it as they owe no explanation to anyone, including the government, as they are not responsible to anyone except you know who.

Was probably pilot error, keep quiet about it and it'll all just go away and of course there couldn't possibly be anything to learn from it as we've already got everything right, no need to scrutinise proceedure.

[PeteC]

↑ Yep, not all that different from the girl who ran the van off the road, except for the lives lost. Pete

[Name Taken]

There goes half the Thai Air Force!
LOL

[Name Taken]

They were Thai, bought in 2002. Replacement cost is 95 M$ each without the bells and whistles.

That's a really expensive pair of lawn darts.

[fach3003]

Hi All
if it was the guy who did my brakes on my pick up
that serviced these F16s......

I remember someone telling me one UK Tornado pilot
on realising he got it wrong and there was no time
to save himself...just managed to say
' one less for tea....'
Dunno if it was true or not the story

Tom cruise wasnt that cool....
and last time i was watching top gun
i used to think it was great...now it looks very camp!

Anyhow any death is a shame...

Regards to all!.... its cold and raining the day!
Fach