Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2020 February 15

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February 15[edit]

This US Navy video[edit]

I was wondering how the video was shot? Presumably not from the plane, which would have moved on (quick time!), but was there a photograph unit flying behind, or is something launched after the missile to observe it? The F-18 article lists a lot of weaponry, but—since I don't actually know what they are or what was used in the video—my research, such as it was, came to a halt. A ltlle like the Daesh artillery. ——SN54129 19:21, 15 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]

I don't see a reason to doubt that the weapon radar on the plane that is able to keep a targeting box aligned on the target is also able to stabilise an Infrared camera. See Electro-optical targeting system and Infrared search and track. DroneB (talk) 22:27, 15 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
See also: AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR --107.15.157.44 (talk) 23:39, 15 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Here's the Pentagon statement that went along with the video (no help), and the full video released (which may).—eric 01:49, 16 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Later the same day "remotely piloted aircraft struck a terrorist mortar position", but can't find anything that says the released video was from a drone.—eric 01:59, 16 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
The term "drone" is also used for remotely piloted aircraft. Assuming this was a Predator B, our article gives its cruise speed as 313 km/h and its operational altitude as 7.5 km. Under these conditions, ground positions vertically below the aircraft move at an angular speed of less than 1° per second (arctan((313/3600)/7.5)), slow enough to be compatible with the video. These data will not be dramatically different for other types of UCAV.  --Lambiam 07:07, 16 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
It was from an FA-18 Super Hornet][1]; likely recorded via AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR pod.[2] --107.15.157.44 (talk) 08:25, 16 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Watch the full video. At 0:19 the view will zoom out, and at 0:21 the second GBU-12 Paveway II will hit. Neither F/A-18 could have been in a position to capture the video. The only ATFLIR video i find is of the tic-tac UFOeric 16:20, 16 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
But this video from 2007 makes me think you are correct. Too much confusing speculation from me.—eric 17:04, 16 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]