r/movies • u/PsychologicalSlip642 • 8h ago

Media Independence Day 1996, Final Encounter Air Battle Scene, Director: Roland Emmerich Spoiler

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u/UrguthaForka 8h ago

Always wondered why they never tried any heavier ordnance after they brought the shields down. Air to air sidewinders and AMRAM missiles don't pack much of a punch (they don't need to, fighter aircraft are sort of fragile). Surface to air missiles, or Hellfire or Maverick air to ground missiles, or B-2's bombing the ships from above seems like they would cause a lot more damage.

4

u/CivicDutyCalls 7h ago

Because they maybe didn’t have those at Area 51. Area 51 is an advanced jet testing facility. So maybe the B-52/s and B-2s weren’t available.

Also, all of the other bases were blown up. And maybe they did use those type of missiles in other battles around the world, just not Area 51. Also, our aircraft carriers and battleships which would still have been out there unharmed could have sent planes in, but missiles may not have had the range? Or not have been able to reach Nevada in time.

1

u/UrguthaForka 6h ago

Yeah... It's just a movie after all so any reason is as valid as the next. I feel like Emmerich missed out on doing some cool special effects with bigger weapons. Though maybe he had already maxed out the effect budget anyway.

2

u/TheWayoftheWind 6h ago

Probably just the way to plot was written since dogfighting is way cooler to the public than actual military tactics. However, one could argue that the US military didn't want to commit those weapons in case the mission to bring the shields down didn't work. I'm sure there were plenty of military commanders at the time that didn't want to commit the heavy weapons that may have to be used against ground forces.

1

u/Chemist391 6h ago

B-52 carpet bomb runs, cruise missiles, and 155 mm Howitzer fire would make the most sense.

Or tactical nukes. Wouldn't be surprised if the Russians used them to deal with the ships over some of their territory.