Originally Posted by
sailingfun
A F14 could not possibly intercept a Concorde flying at mach 2. It could get in a firing solution but it would never be able to join up. In addition the distance from the mainland to where the Concorde was running at supersonic speeds would preclude any type of intercept without extensive air refueling assets for the F14. Supersonic intercepts are very difficult to run to a firing solution and impossible to actually catch and join up with a aircraft at mach 2 plus. Not enough fuel, distance, airspace and time.
Departing from Grumman's facility at Calverton New York, interception of a Mach 2 jet coming straight at Long Island is kinda what the jet was designed to do. For the D model the profile seems to fit, especially when production test flight work and a known Concorde schedule allow for
practice getting the separation, break and turning radius / energy solution right. ... and yes, accomplishing the feat did get some attention for the reasons you elaborate on. Seems like a neat test profile which would allow for the efficient test of the aircraft's systems.
I dunno; the fastest I've ever been is in Row 6 of an L1011 with a Captain who was a commuter on the last leg of a four day which had been delayed due to a mechanical. I am certainly not expert enough to question what the man said. I've read even the Super Hornet, while a better all around platform, lacks the fleet defense capabilities (speed, carrying ability without a significant drag penalty, and endurance) of the D model. But again, I'm no expert.
Who would ever believe we used to shoot down satellites with F15's, but we did.