"So really, long range bombers, even big, lumbering, many decades old (did someone say B-52?) bombers are a threat given today's standoff weaponry. For example, a single B-52 can release the same ordnance load as 3 WWII B-18 bombers - that is, the same weight in missiles/bombs as the 3 -18s' bomb loads, and the planes too! So don't discount big aircraft and tremendous carrying capacity for weapons."
I assume that you meant the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, not the B-18 Bolo (which was a DC-3 based pre-war light bomber) from Douglas. The B-17 E/G had a typical bomb-load of between 4,000-5,000 lbs. The Boeing B-52H payload is 60,000 lbs. So that makes a B-52 worth around 12-15 WWII B-17s in total bomb load, not just three as you stated.
dvwjr
“These include a new S-400 missile and aircraft interceptor system, similar but better than the US Patriot, and a lethal new supersonic cruise missile, the Meteorit-A.”
Hmmmm.. I wonder if the S-400 is better than the Patriot...