AQ was working on bombs. Get it? BOMBS, not missiles. There is no record in Lance's book, or Minitier's research, or Posner's research on AQ of them EVER, and I repeat, EVER obtaining a super-high-cost and high-technology "signature-seeking" (note, not HEAT SEAKING because it didn't go for the engines) missile. If you follow what type of weapon "could have" done this, you must rule out terrorists. Let's say I concede to the fact that since AQ had never, ever obtained or used a signature seeking missile, they did not procure their first one for the downing of TWA800. Do you have any idea what Saddam's track record was with respect to this type of missile? I wonder who does have an inventory of signature seekers - could be an entity involved in the Oil for Food fiasco.
That's a good point, and one raised by DeMille. He claimed that none of the industrialized nations' inventories was missing such a weapon . . . then he kind of left it unstated as to where someone would get such a VERY sophisticated weapon. Moreover, while I've never fired such a missile, this strikes me as something that is NOT done without tremendous "on the ground" technology and a fairly well-trained crew. In other words, you don't get a random terrorist in a rowboat firing one of these. Moreover, there were all sorts of aircraft up there that night. How would you know to "target" this particular one?
DeMille raises the speculation that an Israeli airliner was next in line, and that they got mixed up as to which plane they were trying to shoot down.