Aviation Milestone, Stealth Aircraft to Make Flyby at Tournament of Roses Parade

ABC7-TV, Los Angeles ^ | December 19, 2003

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For the first time in aviation history, three Air Force Stealth aircraft are scheduled to fly in formation at the 115th Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day, Air Force officials said today. A second flyover by the B-2 Spirit, F-117A Nighthawk and F/A-22 Raptor is scheduled before the Rose Bowl game later in the day.

Plans call for the F-117A Nighthawk and F/A-22 Raptor to be flown from Edwards Air Force Base and the B-2 Spirit from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.

The F/A-22 Raptor is the newest dual-engine stealth, long-range air-to-air and air-to-ground fighter, with supersonic, highly maneuverable capabilities. The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role, low-observable stealth bomber. The F-117A Nighthawk is the world's first operational aircraft designed to exploit low-observable stealth technology.

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The flyover starts the parade which is scheduled to begin at 8:00 am (p.s.t.), check your local listings for tv coverage. Second flyby for the football game. They like to come in pretty low, reminds a lot of people that patriotism is a real emotion.

[Johnny_Cipher]

For the first time in aviation history, three Air Force Stealth aircraft are scheduled to fly in formation at the 115th Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day, Air Force officials said today.

How will anyone know this has happened?

[Semper911]

How will anyone know this has happened?

LOL Good one.

[exit82]

Saw a B-2 fly over Chicago at Navy Pier at the Chicago Air Show in Aug. 2000. It was awesome! The guy next to me didn't believe me when I told him he was looking at half a billion dollars flying overhead.

[redbaiter]

You may not 'see' it coming but you will certainly hear it; the B-2 makes the godawfulest tearing sound. A Stealth bomber flew right over me as I was out running a few months ago, and though it was at - I guess - 10000 ft it sounded like a 727, the old kind with the really screechy engines, coming in to land at 1500 ft. It sounded like the sky was being torn open. Coolest thing I have ever seen. It was probably on its way to some airshow, but I like to think it was on its way to pound the snot out of some tyrant who desperately deserves it. Somewhere Jack Northrop is grinning from ear to ear.

The Japanese used sound detectors, which looked like giant tubas aimed skyward, to detect our B-29s. I wonder if there's an application for such devices in detecting stealth aircraft, or any subsonic aircraft.

[Steely Tom]

Right, and oh by the way, they'll be getting detailed three dimensional photographs of every face in the crowd, in real time. Heh heh.

(steely)

[EGPWS]

For the first time in aviation history, three Air Force Stealth aircraft are scheduled to fly in formation at the 115th Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day, Air Force officials said today.

A second flyover by the B-2 Spirit, F-117A Nighthawk and F/A-22 Raptor is scheduled before the Rose Bowl game later in the day.

Any other aircraft that may be proper for the show would most likely get a lock be shot down! ; )

[JOE6PAK]

F/A-22 Raptor!!!

IS THIS A STEALTH AIRCRAFT?

[FutureMarine]

Wow. I've seen F-14s at baseball games before, but nothing this sweet. If only my eyes weren't so bad I would love to fly something like that some day.

[USNBandit]

Yes. Unfortunately, to justify its cost the Air Force is trying to make it an air-to-mud platform.

[RedWing9]

IS THIS A STEALTH AIRCRAFT?

Yes, somewhat. It's stealth is not as good as the F-117, but it only designed to have a smaller signature in air-to-air combat and against surface-to-air missiles. Additionally, the F-117 is hampered by its design making supersonic flight impossible. The F-22 is designed for speed and agility.

[giznort]

Holy Moley. I sure would like to see the B-2. I traveled 60 miles (roundtrip) to see one in Sheboygan this summer, only to be fogged out over Lake Michigan. Hope they show it on TV.

[codder too]

Watch HGTV Cable. Coverage is great and no commercials......

[Johnny_Cipher]

Same here. I'm a physical wreck (eyes, feet, back, you name it), otherwise I'd be in the cockpit right now.

[staytrue]

You may not 'see' it coming but you will certainly hear it; the B-2 makes the godawfulest tearing sound. A Stealth bomber flew right over me as I was out running a few months ago, and though it was at - I guess - 10000 ft it sounded like a 727, the old kind with the really screechy engines, coming in to land at 1500 ft.

I disagree. The B2 did a flyover at the 2000 rose parade, and no one heard it at all.

[calcowgirl]

The guy next to me didn't believe me when I told him he was looking at half a billion dollars flying overhead.

True, but.... those numbers included all of the R&D prorated over only 20 airplanes. Originally, they were going to build over 100 planes which cut that number to about 40%. The government has a hard time understanding 'economic ordering quantity.'

[chilepepper]

If they are smart, they'll have the bowl, then claim that there was as stealth bomber that flew by at halftime...;)

[DesertDreamer]

ping!
This should put some extra zip in the parade.

[exit82]

And for what these planes can do---it was money well spent.;)

[ladyinred]

We thought about going to the parade this year. Now I wish more than ever we had made plans to go! Would love to see this in person.