MH17 crash: Dutch experts say numerous objects hit plane

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35. No, air to air missiles use proximity warheads to explode near the target to destroy it.

Cannon fire on the other hand would be within a small area of damage, do to the fact cannons and machine guns can only be kept aimed for a small time period do to the speed and actions of the plane doing the firing. Furthermore most cannons in planes tend to be light weight with thin barrels, thus can only fire in short bursts. The rounds would be threw the plane or explode inside the plane for most cannons fire either solid projectiles OR have impact fuzes (i.e. explode on impact often with a delay so that any explosion occurs within the target as oppose to the metal surface of the plane).

As to "head on" that is mostly in the movies. Most attacks are from the rear or sides. In head to head fights you are talking of planes approaching each other at over 1000 mph (Fighter going 600 mph, the passenger goes 400 mph, that comes to 1000 mph on a head to head approach). At 1000 mph, you have seconds to locate the target, prepare the missiles and fire. At 1000 mph the two planes are nearing each other 1468 feet per second, that comes to about 3 seconds per MILE. 30 seconds every 10 miles. That is NOT enough time to fire with cannon or missiles. Thus attacks are from the rear or sides, rarely from the front (Possible, but rare).

In an approach from the rear, a 600 mph fighter approaching a 400 mph passenger jet would be closing in at only 200 mpg on to the passenger jet. That is 1/5 the speed and thus have five times the time as a head to head approach. You thus have time to do things, such as determine what you are nearing and set your weapons.