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Considering all the Huckabee archives I’ve posted lately, I figgered I needed to be more fair and balanced.

In fact, I need a Hunter Archive. How’s this:

In a World of Peril, Let’s Keep B-2 Bomber

To the Editor:

Your Aug. 2 editorial alleges that the B-2 Stealth bomber is a “billion-dollar lemon.” This broadside is reminiscent of the 1980’s, when critics sought to undermine the Reagan rearmament program by questioning the idea that a high-technology military could perform in combat.

Before World War II, bomber advocates thought air defense was futile — until radar was invented. Suddenly, bombers could be detected and engaged. The United States lost 2,200 aircraft over North Vietnam as missiles were added to anti-aircraft guns and fighters. From this experience came the push for “stealth” technology that would blind radar.

Only seven B-2 bombers have been delivered to the Air Force. While some flaws have been discovered in the manufacturing process, they are being corrected and do not compromise the aircraft’s design or mission.

The B-2’s radar cannot “distinguish a rain cloud from a mountainside,” you charge. If rain is heavy enough, it will reflect like a solid object. This is true of all radar. A more powerful radar can “see” better but could also be detected by an enemy. The rain-rejecting software has been adjusted. There is no indication this problem will degrade performance.

Tests will continue through spring 1997. The Air Force has confirmed that detectability and survivability testing has been “successful in confirming expected B-2 performance.”

The 509th Bomb Wing has been putting the B-2’s through their paces. It has participated in the Red Flag combat exercises. It has been able to fly more training missions than planned because B-2’s seldom require more than minor maintenance.

On June 13 the first test launch from a B-2 of an advanced Global Positioning System-aided bomb was successfully conducted. Using satellite signals, the bomb hit within the 20-foot circular error probability.

The B-2, with its stealth capability, long range and capacity to deliver precision weapons, is unmatched. It is also the only United States strategic bomber in production.

We need to keep the B-2 line open as a hedge against an uncertain future in what is still a dangerous world. (Rep.) DUNCAN HUNTER Chmn., Natl. Security Subcommittee on Military Procurement Washington, Aug. 2, 1995

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE7D71E31F937A3575BC0A963958260