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Anytime Allah

Reconjoe

Active Member
You can thank some Chinese firms for this. There were reports about 3 years ago (looking for them now) that parts for the F-14 were being reversed engineered in China with the intention being to ship to Iran. This even included what they needed to maintain and field their AIM-54 inventory.
 

Swanee

Cereal Killer
pilot
None
Contributor
Meh, nothing the guys from the 1FW and a couple of their F-22s couldn't handle.
 

fc2spyguy

loving my warm and comfy 214 blanket
pilot
Contributor
This isn't a religious fight . . . just sayin wrt your thread title . . .
 

CAMike

Well-Known Member
None
Contributor
Sure- Their awesome Mig 23 back up plan is equally impressive. Right along with those super duper clam shell bunker buster resistant aircraft shelters.

I know IRAN likely has some effective MIL capability but to what extent. I suppose we'll only know about those on day one of a confrontation. I hope that day never comes but the way they act in public doesn't give many folk a warm fuzzy, does it.

(They could sure use a KCAL Jackie Johnson type to replace their interpreter- the "lady" they used scared me a little.)
 

Flash

SEVAL/ECMO
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
You can thank some Chinese firms for this. There were reports about 3 years ago (looking for them now) that parts for the F-14 were being reversed engineered in China with the intention being to ship to Iran. This even included what they needed to maintain and field their AIM-54 inventory.

Found 'em yet? Don't believe everything you read on the internets.
 

phrogdriver

More humble than you would understand
pilot
Super Moderator
AIM-54s? Would it even be worth it to keep 30-year-old missiles operating now, when there are plenty of countries that would supply modern missiles? All the Phoenix has going for it is crazy range, which I think is of less value for the constrained op area Iran works in. As I understand it, 54s were intended to defend the carrier battle groups against mass strikes by Bears and Backfires. That really doesn't fit the bill here.
 

statesman

Shut up woman... get on my horse.
pilot
Found 'em yet? Don't believe everything you read on the internets.

I'm not saying Ill take what Reconjoe had to say hook line and sinker without some references, but is it really THAT hard to believe that China, or Russia for that matter were / are making replacement parts for the Iranians?

Iran has its own manufacturing capability for sure, and they could be doing it all themselves... but considering the relationships that they have had, mostly with Russia though I think China as well, I wouldnt be at all surprised to hear Reconjoe's post substantiated.
 

BigIron

Remotely piloted
pilot
Super Moderator
Contributor
Those are some old ass planes. Interesting too how they have the launch bar on the nose wheels still too.
 

jmcquate

Well-Known Member
Contributor
AIM-54s? Would it even be worth it to keep 30-year-old missiles operating now, when there are plenty of countries that would supply modern missiles? All the Phoenix has going for it is crazy range, which I think is of less value for the constrained op area Iran works in. As I understand it, 54s were intended to defend the carrier battle groups against mass strikes by Bears and Backfires. That really doesn't fit the bill here.

I remember hearing rumors that departing Grumman engineers or IAF personnel loyal to the Shah sabotaged the software interface for the AIM-54s.
 
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