“The bombers apparently refueled after launching from Missouri, suggesting they launched without full fuel tanks due to a heavy onboard payload, which could be bunker-buster bombs.”
I am trying to figure out the logic behind that thought? It would be extremely impractical and I’m pretty sure they would only load these on a bomber during the final leg and delivery of a mission? Wouldn’t they transport and stage these before hand waiting for the bombers to arrive and then load them on the Bombers for final delivery?
It’s my understanding that these fly all way to the drop zone from Missouri and back without landing. Landing someone enroute is too dangerous in terms of being detected and/or attacked. So the only location to load up the bombs is in Missouri.
Yes, you’re correct. They would, IN THEORY, transport all the munitions to Diego Garcia, let the bombers fly over empty, and then load them there. But this is Trump we’re talking about. It’s all about the show. He wants Iran to think about this. I’m convinced that the whole build-up that’s been going on (All the transports flying East from the east coast, tankers flying to Diego, the carrier strike groups showing up “down the street” etc.) are all pressure tactics. They’re “Look what could happen if you don’t negotiate” messages.
You burn a tremendous amount of fuel taking off and getting up to altitude, then it sips at cruise. It’s very normal to refuel here over the United States and start a long trip with a big load of fuel. Just a good opportunity.
PRETTY SURE SUCH ARSENAL WOULD KEPT HERE IN THE STATES.
LONG TIME FRIEND OF MINE WAS LURED AWAY FROM AUTO RACING TO WORK FOR LOCKHEED. HE KNEW HOW TO HANDLE CARBON FIBER.
HE ENDED UP AS AN ENGINEER ON THE F-22.
HE WAS VERY SMART. COVID GOT HIM IN 2020.
STILL MISS HIM.
“I am trying to figure out the logic behind that thought? It would be extremely impractical and I’m pretty sure they would only load these on a bomber during the final leg and delivery of a mission”
No they are flying with the munitions as they are designed to do so. This is exactly why they tanked up after takeoff. Those are 30,000lbs each and they have two of them. It takes dedicated special lift loaders to load them into the bomb bay. And you would have to fly six C5 sized cargo planes across with those loaders and tanker support. Or just load the bombers before they left homebase and have tankers drag them and their F22s half way around the globe. Those F22s are not for show over the USA they are their CAP cover and tankers will drag them too.
I called it yesterday a flock of six B2 and 12 gbu57s that is exactly the mission that is being flown. I would bet good money they are not stopping in Guam they hit that target in the next 20 hours or so. It’s irrelevant if they know they are coming they cannot stop them and the F22s. Also makes sense from a stock market standpoint hit over the weekend when the market is closed and panic selling cannot happen.
PRETTY SURE SUCH ARSENAL WOULD KEPT HERE IN THE STATES.
LONG TIME FRIEND OF MINE WAS LURED AWAY FROM AUTO RACING TO WORK FOR LOCKHEED. HE KNEW HOW TO HANDLE CARBON FIBER.
HE ENDED UP AS AN ENGINEER ON THE F-22.
HE WAS VERY SMART. COVID GOT HIM IN 2020.
STILL MISS HIM.
LIFT OFF WITH PAYLOAD OF 30,000 & THE REQUIREMENT FOR LOTS OF FUEL TO DO SO, SAYS IT ALL