LANTIRN speed limit

[MagicSlave]

I've been wondering about this sentence in the Be Afraid of the Dark: "LANTIRN further reduced this to an upper limit of Mach 1.2 or 650 KCAS (whichever came first). Overheating of the ECUs on both pods was likely to occur above MACH 0.9, making this a realistic airspeed limit for training purposes." Does this .9 Mach limit only come into play when either of the Pods is ON or STBY or regardless? Couldn't find anything in the manual.

Edit: sorry, meant to post this to the F-15E sub.
 
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[Ramstein]

why would you launch anything a-g over mach in these aircraft? (btw, in the late 1980's I worked on the envronmental testing chambers for the LANTIRNS in Aerospace after leaving active Duty USAF). I also have my name in the Nitrogen compressors invention and development for the C-5. The company always owns the rights.

[MagicSlave]

I was thinking about using the pod in A-A mode, vis id during high speed intercept or something. Or if the speed limit is there always when carrying the pods, powered on or not (which I doubt, but the statement in the book was vague).

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[Ramsay]

2 hours ago, MagicSlave said:

I was thinking about using the pod in A-A mode, vis id during high speed intercept or something.

AFAIK
• The Operation envelope (excluding laser) = 40,000 ft, 650 knots / 1.2 IMN
("Be Afraid of the Dark" suggests that, in practice, this figure was optimistic)

2 hours ago, MagicSlave said:

Or if the speed limit is there always when carrying the pods, powered on or not (which I doubt, but the statement in the book was vague).

AFAIK
• The Structural envelope (none operational OFF) = can be as high as 700 knots /  1.8 IMN @ 48,000 ft or 1.0 IMN @ 70,000 ft

... IRL there are also flight limitations such as +550 knots / +1.6 IMN = half stick rolls, to consider.

Edited November 4, 2023 by Ramsay

[MagicSlave]

Thanks, great info!

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