Aircraft lost by NATO Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit source - "PRENSA NUEVO AMANECER" **For complete article please go to follwoing page: http://www.warinfo.org.yu/natodown.html Aircraft used and lost in Yugoslavia during NATO aggression of 1999. Information you will find on this page may be somewhat speculative and a lot of it was not confirmed by NATO or Yugoslavia. But all aircraft losses mentioned here were reported by Serb, US, British or Russian press or confirmed by sources in the Russian Ministry of Defense. Some of the sources include BBC, ABC, Russian National News Service, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Pravda, Yugoslav official television and press, etc. I do not feel that I have to prove anything stated on this page. If you disagree, it's your decision and you are always free to wait a couple of decades, as in case with the Vietnam War, for all the losses to be officially acknowledged. In any case, the number of aircraft lost indicated on this page coincides almost exactly with the number of losses predicted by Pentagon (before the war begun officials in Pentagon said NATO may loose around 12 planes in the first few days of the conflict. Now its it well beyond the first few days). So, to say that only one NATO plane was lost just because its burning remains were shown on Yugoslav TV and Pentagon had no choice but to acknowledge the loss, would be, to put it mildly, overly optimistic. Some people ask why would NATO command want to conceal its actual losses. It has very good reason to do so: the political situation in the North-Atlantic alliance is very shaky, to say the least, and reports of actual losses would only destabilize the situation further. Also, admitting every loss would most definitely boost the morale in Yugoslavia. I think everyone can understand that this would not be in NATO's interests. I am sure there are more reasons for NATO to conceal its actual losses, at least for the time being. I understand that some of the information below may be difficult for many people to deal with, after all, every downed plane can and often does mean a dead pilot. Nevertheless, it is important for everyone to know what s happening in Yugoslavia and who is paying for that. I apologize for not being able to conceal by delight at NATO's losses, but NATO is the aggressor in this war and I am a Russian - Russians know what war means, Russia was nearly destroyed by foreign aggressors on numerous occasions, several years after Yugoslavia was last invaded in 1941 tens of millions of Russians were killed, and as a Russian I find it impossible not to express my sincere satisfaction at NATO's failures and losses in this unjust conflict. It is remarkable that in a democratic society an impeached president, accused draft-dodger, rapist and tax-evader, can send soldiers to die in an illegal war only to temporarily cover for his own diplomatic impotence. If we are to have an impotent politician guiding our country and much of the world into the next century, why does it have to be political impotence why can't it be a more conventional form of impotence - we sure would have had fewer problems in our country's political life. It is rather interesting to observe the reaction of some Americans to the considerable losses sustained but not confirmed by NATO: complete and total denial. One would think that it would be reasonable to say that if a "stealth" aircraft was tracked by a Serb radar and shot down by Serb SAMs (shortly after NATO officials announced that "they feel comfortable" with how Yugoslav air defenses were "effectively suppressed."), then any NATO plane was in considerable danger. One would also think that after failing to complete the first phase of the war - suppression of Yugoslav air defenses - and announcing the second phase - low-level attacks on armored vehicles and artillery - NATO pilots would be in far greater danger than any NATO commander could have imagined only a week ago. After all, now NATO pilots need to chase around Serb tanks while Serb air defenses are still very active and quite effective. However, ability to think rationally comes to most Americans only after the first coffins with US soldiers return home. This was true in the Korean War, the Vietnam war, the Gulf War and this war, unfortunately, is not an exception. From all the information that I have seen in regard to NATO's losses in Yugoslavia and being entirely objective in my evaluation of claims from both sides, Yugoslav and NATO, I can say with all certainty that NATO is experiencing substantial aircraft losses. Many people e-mail me asking why wouldn't Yugoslav TV show pictures of more downed NATO aircraft, as it showed images of the shot down American F-117. There are a few good reasons for that: The main problem is that NATO aircraft operate at high altitudes to avoid Yugoslavia's numerous AAAs and man-portable SAMs. When an aircraft is hit by a large SAM missile (like SA-2, SA-3, or SA-6), what falls to the ground are very small pieces of the aircraft - hundreds or even thousands of them, possibly covering an area of several square kilometers. There simply would be nothing to photograph. This was often the case when high-flying Soviet aircraft were shot down over Afghanistan. I have seen numerous photos of Soviet planes crashed in Afghanistan - such images would be interesting only for aviation experts but completely useless in terms of propaganda: what remained from crashed planes could hardly be recognized as an aircraft by a non-professional. NATO claimed to have shot down many Yugoslav aircraft (according to NATO, they destroyed 50% of Yugoslavia's MiGs, which would amount to at least 35 aircraft), however, they also failed to provide any proof (except for the one or two MiG-29s of questionable origin shot down over Bosnia, at least one of which looks suspiciously more like an American F-15, and video images taken by an aircraft's targeting camera of, presumably, a Yugoslav Mi-8 helicopter - that's it). And NATO has very capable photo and video reconnaissance aircraft, including the U-2 and a number of highly advanced UAVs, such as Predator and Hunter, not to mention that all NATO aircraft are equipped with video recording devices. Yugoslav media was lucky to photograph the remains of the downed F-117. This was because the aircraft's pilot was probably trying to crash-land his aircraft or to eject at low altitude (which he did, since he landed only two miles from the crash site). There was a clearly visible landing gear of the F-117 in the video footage shown on Yugoslav TV: this is a good indication that the gear was lowered, perhaps as an attempt to crash-land. The pilot wanted to keep the aircraft in one piece, presumably so that it could be destroyed by a cruise missile or a laser bomb before Serb troops got their hands on the remains. Or, perhaps, the pilot was simply forced into low-level flight by the circumstances of his encounter with Yugoslav air defenses. There were reports in Russian military publications back from the Persian Gulf War against Iraq: Iraq claimed to have shot down a US F-117, but failed to present any proof because the aircraft's remains were hit by a laser-guided bomb before Iraqi troops found the crash site. Yugoslavia is not Russia, but it is a fairly large country nevertheless, with mountainous terrain and forests. If a damaged NATO aircraft crashes in hundreds of pieces (or even in one piece), finding it may be impossible, especially if the aircraft crashed some distance away from populated areas. There is little doubt that NATO pilots would try to eject over unpopulated areas in order to avoid being found by Serb troops or by civilians. Also, Yugoslavia does not have anything nearly as advanced as NATO reconnaissance aircraft, and searching for aircraft remains on foot or on vehicles is a lengthy and dangerous process, considering that NATO rescue forces have a much better chance of finding ejected pilots, crash sites as well as of directing other NATO aircraft to erase any evidence of crashed aircraft with precision weapons. As to civilian news agencies in Yugoslavia - they do not posses sophisticated helicopters, gyrocameras and other equipment common among American news agencies: looking for an enemy aircraft remains in the combat zone in Kosovo mountains would be quite a task for a reporter armed with a camera and driving a Yugo. Some people may still may not be convinced that all of the downed aircraft would disintegrate beyond recognition or that Yugoslav forces are not able to find any of the crashed NATO aircraft. This is certainly not the case: I am quite sure that a number of crash sites were discovered by Yugoslav troops and that, perhaps, even several NATO pilots might have been captured. So, why would they show it on TV? It would be a good idea to remember the three American soldiers captured by Yugoslav forces near the border with Macedonia: this incident had a great impact on the American society and is believed to have increased the percentage of American willing to send ground troops to Kosovo. If Yugoslavia would show all available footage of down NATO aircraft, this would be sure to increase the pressure on the US government from American public to account if not for all US military aircraft, but certainly for all US pilots. Under this pressure the US may be far more willing to commit to a ground campaign in Yugoslavia - something Yugoslavia wants to avoid. I am certain that more videos like the one of the downed F-117 will surface sooner or later regardless of political games played by Belgrade and Washington. However, for Yugoslavia it would be important to release any such evidence only when it would be to its advantage and will be unlikely to provoke the US to take any drastic military actions. * * * Aircraft Description Losses F-4 Phantom II multirole fighter First flight: 1958. Crew: 2 Operated over Yugoslavia by Germany. In production from 1957 to 1981. Over 5000 built. Max speed 2390km/h; service ceiling 62,250ft; max initial rate of climb 61,400ft/min. Combat radius 795-1,265km. Can carry 7255kg of ordnance on five hardpoints, including AIM-9 & AIM-7 AAMs. Serbs claim to have shot down 2-4 German F-4s. Russian Ministry of Defense sources confirmed that at least two German F-4 fighter were lost. A crew of one of the lost F-4s was killed in the crash. The crew of the other lost aircraft ejected and is believed to have been captured by the Serbs. It has been pointed out to me that F-4s may not be even participating in this conflict. I still believe, although I may be wrong, that they are being used (or at least have been used early in the campaign) by Germany and, possibly, by Italy (Italian government insists that no Italian planes are being used in the aggression against Yugoslavia: Italian pilots fly aircraft of other NATO members, although it is more likely that Italian pilots fly German Tornadoes. According to Italian government, Italian pilots do not participate directly in the attacks on Yugoslavia, only provide air cover for other NATO aircraft.) F-16C Multirole fighter First flight: 1984 (1974 for basic F-16) Crew: 1 Operated over Yugoslavia by the US. Main American fighter type, the most numerous aircraft type in NATO's aggression against Yugoslavia. Max speed 2125km/h; service ceiling 55,000ft; max initial rate of climb 50,000ft/min. Combat radius ~630km. Can carry 5435kg of ordnance on nine hardpoints, including AIM-120 & AIM-9 AAMs, AGM-65 ASMs, GBU-10 & GBU-12 LGBs, AGM-88 HARMs, unguided rockets and free-fall bombs. By 17:00 03.26.99 at least one USAF F-16C fighter was lost in air-to-air combat 7km south of Panchevo. Serbs said the aircraft was downed by a MiG-29. Four more F-16s were lost due to ground fire in the third wave of attacks. Russian GRU (Main Intelligence Directorate - military intel. service) confirmed that four USAF F-16s were shot down by SAMs and AAAs. F-15E long-range strike fighter First flight: 1986 (1972 for basic F-15) Crew: 2 Operated over Yugoslavia by the US. Most advanced American aircraft of this type. Max speed 2655km/h; service ceiling 60,000ft; max initial climb rate 50,000ft/min. Combat radius 1270km. Can carry 11,115kg of ordnance, including AIM-7, AIM-9 & AIM-120 AAMs; GBU-10, GBU-12 & GBU-24 LGBs; GBU-15 EO-guided bombs, AGM-130 self-propelled bombs, AGM-88 HARM and AGM-65 ASMs, free-fall bombs and cluster munitions, B51 & B61 nuclear bombs. One USAF F-15E ground attack/fighter aircraft was downed during the third wave of attacks. Serbs claimed the plane was shot down by a MiG-21 fighter. BBC World News reported the loss on March 27, 1999. More info and a photo here. F/A-18 multirole fighter First flight: 1978 Crew: 1 (2 in F/A-18B/D) Operated over Yugoslavia by the US and by Canada. Max speed 1915km/h, max initial rate of climb 45,000ft/min, service ceiling 50,000ft. Combat radius 740-1065km. Can carry 7030km of ordnance, including AIM-7, AIM-9 & AIM-120 AAMs, AGM-65 & AGM-88 HARM ASMs, AGM-84 anti-ship missiles, bombs, cluster bombs, rocket and laser-guided bombs. By 17:00 03.26.99 two F/A-18s were lost 11km south of Roum. Both crews are dead. Several additional Canadian F/A-18s have been dispatched to Italy on 03-30-99. Tornado IDS ground attack aircraft First flight: 1974 Crew: 2 Operated over Yugoslavia by Germany, UK, possibly Italy. Max speed 2125km/h; service ceiling 50,000ft. Combat radius 1390km. Can carry 9000kg of ordnance, including AIM-9 AAMs, conventional bombs, laser-guided bombs, ALARM & HARM ASMs, WE177B & B61 nuclear bombs, Sea Eagle & Kormoran anti-ship missiles. At least one German "Tornado IDS" ground attack aircraft was lost sometime between 22:00 03.24.99 and 17:00 03.26.99 (but most likely in the first wave of attacks). This loss was confirmed by Russian military intelligence and Serbs said that they have found the aircraft's crash site. The "Tornado" was shot down 12km south of Panchevo and was completely destroyed. Crew of two is dead. Another German "Tornado" was shot down on 03-29-99, as reported by Yugoslav news agency Tanjug. The pilot is said to have ejected. Harrier Multirole fighter First flight: 1961 (original Harrier) Crew: 1 Operated over Yugolavia by Britain. Max speed 1185km/h; service ceiling 50,000ft; max initial rate of climb 50,000ft/min. Combat radius 565-750km. Can carry 3630kg (normally carries up to 2270kg) of ordnance on four undewing pylons, including AIM-9 AAM, bombs, rokets, Sea Eagle anti-ship missile. A group of British Harrier fighter jets came under heavy AAA fire while on a mission over Yugoslavia. All of the Harriers are said to have returned to the base in Italy. However, several aircraft are believed to have been heavily damaged. According the British Ministry of Defence, the Harriers had to turn back to their base before completing their mission. NEW According to Yugoslav and Russian press, on 03-30-99 Yugoslav air defense forces shot down one British Harrier fighter aircraft. NEW Another British Harrier is believed to have been lost over Yugoslavia on 04-17-99. I am still verifying this information and will upload more data as it becomes available. F-117A LO light bomber First flight: 1981 Crew: 1 Operated over Yugoslavia by the US. Max speed 1040km/h. Combat radius 1055km. Can carry two 910-kg bombs in internal bay, including GBU-12 & GBU-27 LGBs, AGM-88 & AGM-65 HARM ASMs, theoretically can carry AIM-9 AAMs. More technical information about F-117 "Stealth Fighter". Two F-117A LO light bombers were lost during the third wave of attacks. Pentagon acknowledged the loss of one F-117A, which was shot down by a Yugoslav SAM of undetermined type. The downing of the second F-117A was reported by the Russian National News Service in their March 27, 1999 special report. In regard to the first F-117A shot down, witnesses say that the aircraft was taken out by a SAM. From the available footage of the F-117A wreckage it is possible to see bullet holes in the wing of the bomber, probably caused by a 23mm anti-aircraft gun. The damage to the rest of the aircraft seemed severe and looked like it indeed was caused by a SAM. Latest information suggests that the F-117 was shot down by two SA-6 surface-to-air missiles. More information on the downing of the first F-117A here. New photos of the shot down F-117A here. A video here (3,551Kb, mpeg) I've seen the Le Parisien's photo of a downed "F-117", as was reported in their 03-29-99 issue. Evidently the newspaper was wrong and the photographed plane is not the Night Hawk but a MiG-29. Perhaps one of the two Fulcrums downed by NATO over Bosnia. BBC mentioned a possibility of a second F-117 loss. Radio-Zagreb, Yugoslav TV and other sources reported that a US F-117A stealth bomber had to make an emergency landing in Zagreb Airport. Apparently the aircraft sustained heavy damage from Yugoslav air defenses. ... 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