Arthur,

You misunderstand me, I’m not proposing a air defence network of patrolling AEW and CAP missiler type biz jets.

I’m just saying that if NZ ever had to down a aircraft (however unlikely the event) that could be caught in time it would be nice for the pilot not to have to ram into it.

bizslug:)

GarryB,

I except the argument that NZ could probably get by without a air-air capability in purely military terms, but adding a AAM capability to a fast biz jet will surely save alot of embarrassment should NZ ever be faced with having to shoot down a minor airborne threat such as a hijacked aircraft.

A multi-role biz jet could carry out transport duties such as VIP and medevac missions as well as air patrol missions.

I don’t think the people of NZ would be comforted by the thought that they saved a few million dollars by making themselves an easy target.

LN Strike Eagle,

Excellent pics, heres one from Exercise Magic Carpet 2004

I think you might be too late:( http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcoltishall/

Amusingly enough there was a tanker version of the A-12 (the YF-12A’s predecessor in the CIA) considered at one point.

As for larger tankers supporting the F-12B, I’d think the KC-135 would have done fine. The SR-71 series has a range of over 2000NM unrefueled, and that’s with a large portion of the flight at Mach 3. A 1000NM or so radius for an interceptor would have been outstanding.

Thats true, the SR-71 was pretty fuel efficent at high speed, but before its fuselage warmed up it leaked like a sieve.

I suppose the important question is whether the F-12 and F-108 would have been used for standing CAPs, I don’t think it would have been very practical at Mach 3.

The A400M website http://www.airbusmilitary.com/home.html

Combat jets in the New Zealand military are as useful as arctic mountain commandos in the Egyptian military.

After watching the film The Day After Tomorrow I’m not sure I agree with this;)