Air-to-air combat remains a very rare event in modern warfare. After more than a decade of action over Iraq and Afghanistan, there has not been a single instance, not even during the initial stages of operations.
Nonetheless, the continued development of increasingly high-tech fighter aircraft, sensors and airborne weapons systems worldwide represent an enduring and quickly evolving potential threat to military pilots and planes. More to the point, it is clearly one that no air force can easily ignore.
http://www.airforce-technology.com/features/featureair-to-air-missiles-expanding-the-no-escape-zone/
From an F-15 fighter pilot - most aerial engagements now occur at distances of 50-100 miles, and are over in seconds. Will leave it to the search engine gurus here to verify this statement, should the thirst for 'truth' bite them that hard. *s* After all, real knowledge is always welcome by this reader.
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