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chipperlew t1_j9y6t69 wrote

Reply to comment by Stefouch in [OC] Cost of Taking Down Unidentified Object Over Lake Huron by Metalytiq

Came here to say this. The missed sidewinder is probably the only cost. Those planes would have been flying anyway. Possibly even shooting expensive missiles at dummy targets.

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Only_Razzmatazz_4498 t1_j9ycbot wrote

And even the firing of an actual sidewinder is probably worth it to get operational data. I’m sure they have to do some of those from time to time to make sure the systems are working.

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chipperlew t1_j9ycqbg wrote

Also, the whole operation, including the miss costs about the same as a single cruise missile. No coincidence there.

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dontsheeple t1_ja1mroz wrote

Even the sidewinder was bought and paid for years ago. The stockpile will be used up by missions or training and the remaining will be decommissioned after a certain date. They will just order more to maintain the stockpile minimums.

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