Originally posted by Marco_Simone:
When the specs of an aircraft say range:1000km
That means 1000km is the operational radius? I.e,can fly for 2000km (to and fro.)
Or this 1000km is one way only. I.e operational radius=500km only
The range of an a/c can be mis-leading.... and there are all sort of radius and range also...
The longest "range" is probably "ferry" range. that is when the a/c carry the most fuel via external tanks and so on and fly at its most economical attitude and speed at the longest possible distance....
Combat radius can be confusing also, as it depends on the combat load of the a/c and the mission profile of it...
for example:
If it is a low level penetration at high speed, low level flying use up a lot of fuel and combat radius is short...
if expected to dogfight its way to its target, again short...
if carry a lot of bombs, the weight and drag will cause range to be short
if expected to "loiter" over target area and wait for target to show up or as a CAP... range will be short without refueling..
typically range will be specified by its mission profile, and the munition it should carry. eg... internal 20mm ammo, 4x Mk82, 2xAIM9, 2x droptanks and a range specified.
Then you can compare apples against apples....
