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> I don't quite believe the reason about guns not being fast enough to bring it down. What makes this reason a challenge for you to believe? The F-22’s M61A2
by Mtinie 4y ago
> I don't quite believe the reason about guns not being fast enough to bring it down.
What makes this reason a challenge for you to believe?
The F-22’s M61A2 20mm Gatling gun propels 20mm (~0.75”) rounds. A full load out is 480 rounds.
The target is a 90’ diameter, nearly atmosphere equalized pressure vessel. Striking the target with 480 rounds of that size is nowhere near enough to create a large escape surface for the slightly positive pressure gas to vacate quickly.
- bayesian_horse 4y agoAs I said, enough rounds would do the trick. No reason not to send in two or three planes. Except that all of that increases the risk. Also you assume a clean through-and-through hole, no tearing. I think the risk to the pilots from flying straight at a balloon is the bigger factor.
- Mtinie 4y agoYou’ll need more than 1,000 rounds[1] (and that was a much smaller balloon) [1] “ The time a wayward Canadian balloon caused an international stir — and thwarted 3 air forces” - https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6737831 https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6737831