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Old 04-21-2012, 12:36 PM
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TicToc TicToc is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Western United States
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Professionally I work with military aircraft and utilize them in an attack role. That being said helicopters are not really designed or capable of engaging "strategic" targets. They simply cannot carry the needed ordnance required to really make a distinct effect on that type of target. In addition Strategic targets typically have the highest level of AA defense, and even the most modest AA system can be exceptionally lethal to rotary wing aviation. Helos are best used in a support role, or in attacking tactical targets.

Harriers are great fixed wing birds but have some major limitations. They are incredible small which has a couple of effects. First their fuel capacity is not really very large which translates to a small combat radius and limited playtime. It also is important to note that if they Harrier is conducting VSTOL operations its combat radius is dropped by a significant margin. VSTOL operations burns though fuel in a nearly unbelievable way. The second effect of a small frame bird is limited ordnance. Not only in the number of weapons that it can carry but in the overall weight. Now none of this says that the Harrier cant be used to attack strategic targets it simply means that it isnt really the best option to do it.
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