Top this for a speeding ticket...
Two Hunter traffic patrol officers from Newcastle LAC were
involved in an unusual incident while checking for speeding
motorists on the F3 Freeway. One of the officers used a
hand-held radar device to check the speed of a vehicle approaching
over the crest of a hill, and was surprised when the speed was
recorded at over 300 mph. Their radar suddenly stopped working and
the officers were not able to reset it.
Just then a deafening roar over the treetops revealed that the radar
had in fact latched on to a Williamtown Tornado fighter jet which was
engaged in a low-flying exercise over Wyong, approaching from the Ocean.
Back at police headquarters the Local Area Commander fired off a stiff
complaint to the RAAF Liaison officer at Williamtown.
Back came the reply in true laconic RAAF style:
"Thank you for your message, which allows us to complete the file
on this incident. You may be interested to know that the tactical
computer in the Tornado had detected the presence of, and
subsequently locked onto, your hostile radar equipment and
automatically sent a jamming signal back to it. Furthermore, an air-
to-ground missile aboard the fully-armed aircraft had also
automatically locked onto your equipment.
Fortunately the pilot flying the Tornado recognised the situation
for what it was, quickly responded to the missile systems alert
status, and was able to override the automated defence system before
the missile was launched and your hostile radar installation was
destroyed.
Thank you for your enquiry.
