Why the B-2 is Still a Hanger Queen

Strategy Page ^ | 4/28/06

[Jonah Hex]

Or "the BatPlane". ;-)

[Dixie Yooper]

The B-1B is a more versatile and less expensive bomber that can attack both day and night with more payload. 600 mph at treetop level is great way to deliver shock and awe!

[ErnBatavia]

A few years ago when I lived a bit north of the San Fernando Valley, I was walking around the block around 7:30 or so on New Years morning, and I heard this swoosh....looked up and saw one flying "low and slow"; it was looping right overhead for it's flyover of the Rose Parade.

Saw it come back after it's mission, but much further east on the way back.

[GladesGuru]

B-2 - - When only the very best is good enough.

[The Red Zone]

But there were quality control problems with the liquid coating, often forcing maintenance crews to go back to tape and paste. Now the quality control problems are thought to be solved, and, if that is the case, the readiness rate of B-2s may go up to 70 percent. Maybe, if everything works out.

Mebbe they could come up with a "dip" like the stuff that is used to coat tool handles.

[txroadhawg]

"The term "hangar queen" reminds me of the late 70's, when you had to keep an aircraft in the hangar to scavange for parts to fix the rest, compliments of Mr. Jimmah carter........

We called those 'Can Birds' for cannibalized. Good source of parts but first come first served. They were usually in depot maint. so they had access to all new replacement parts, us flight line pukes had to scavenge. Again thanks to Jimmy Cater, the root of all evil in the world today.

[-YYZ-]

I love the B1-B. Supersonic swing-wing bomber, pretty darn cool! Not particularly stealthy, though, and nothing like the load capacity of a B52. I guess they all have their places. Man $2B a pop for the B-2, that's a lot of quid for one plane.

[txroadhawg]

I did notice no mention of the B-1, only the B-52, like there's nothing else in the cubbert.

[Lockbox]

BUFF ping

[em2vn]

The B-1 was killed by Jimmy Carter, reborn under the wise leadership of Ronald Regan.

[Paul Ross]

Eerie is right. Almost bat-like refueling with this KC-10.

Compare it with the other two bombers we have (although damn few B-52s are remaining...and the Bush Administration decommissioned HALF the B-1B fleet)

At any rate...having SEVEN B-2s on station and ready to go at one time is hardly a "Fleet".

[Dixie Yooper]

"Man $2B a pop for the B-2, that's a lot of quid for one plane."

We were afraid to use it during Desert Storm, mostly because it was so new and so expensive.
Even today if we crashed one overseas, it is not the kind of technology you would ever want the ChiComs getting their hands on to reverse engineer.

[Myrddin]

The term "hangar queen" reminds me of the late 70's, when you had to keep an aircraft in the hangar to scavange for parts to fix the rest, compliments of Mr. Jimmah carter........

Hangar queen is the common term for an aircraft cannibalized for parts to repair others. Especially in the case of aircraft out of production. Replacement parts can be difficult or impossible to find. The phrase has been borrowed by others who face a similar problem with other types of equipment. Jaguar cars are a common example.

[Paul Ross]

Hangar.

You need to illustrate this:

[Red6]

How many do you need when you have a good payload, range, survivability and PGM capabilities?

[Red6]

But Jimmy sure likes to take credit for "his" bomber!

[Dixie Yooper]

"But Jimmy sure likes to take credit for "his" bomber!"

And his "humane" Nitrogen Bomb

[Red6]

No, like those. Sorry to dissapoint you.

[globalheater]

Seriously - would it be much harm to the US ?

From all I read I think a modern army can detect and fight stealth planes.

[globalheater]

What are they using ?