Posted on 03/13/2008 5:37:53 PM PDT by Renfield
March 10, 2008: Stung by rumors that they were not serious about developing a new heavy bomber, the U.S. Air Force announced that it was developing such an aircraft, that it would be in service by 2018, and would be able to operate with, or without, a crew. The implication was that the design of the new bomber was already quite advanced, and that it was, like the B-2, being handled as a "black project" (all work done in secrecy, until ready for production.)
The new bomber would be similar to the current B-2 in many ways. That is, it would be stealthy, have a crew of only two, and be capable of staying in the air for over 24 hours at a time. The "B-3" would probably also be capable of super-cruise (travelling long distances at very high speeds), and would definitely have a full array of the latest sensors and communications capabilities. The biggest potential problem is cost. The B-2 bombers were so expensive that only 21 were built. One recently crashed. Adding in the development expenses, each B-2 cost about two billion dollars. If the B-3 costs a lot more, the air force will have a hard time selling it to Congress. This would be the case even if the air force came up with a design that amounted to a "semi-space" ship, that travelled at hypersonic speeds (enabling it to reach any point on the planet in a few hours). Price has definitely become a factor, and that may be why the air force has been reluctant to release any details on the next generation heavy bomber.
Yea, and in 2001, instead of commercial liner flying to the space station, we got smaller versions of the 747 flying into the World Trade Center.
It's been 7 years since 2001. Still no liner to the space station, and the space station itself is pretty wimpy too.
I waited 33 years for 2001 come around. I am so bummed.
With today's budget, it's more like to be an MD-80 or a 767 with a connection via a puddle jumper (Saab maybe) from KC.
The F-102 was the widow maker. A very dangerous aircraft.
When that traitor John Kerry disparaged Bush’s service, the truth was George Bush was much more in harm’s way than Kerry.
Bush flew for six years. Kerry was out of the combat zone in 4.5 months. Five medals, and not a day in sick bay recuperating. Did you know he served in Vietnam?
We can still dream, El Gato.
Remember the Pan Am shuttle to the orbiting space station in 2001? We thought the future was on our doorstep.
So what? No air defense system in the world would last three days against our concerted effort to detroy it. Saddam's formidable air defenses were disposed of in a matter of hours. You could have flown a blimp over Bagdad on the morning of the invasion, as long as you stayed above the range of small arms and shoulder-launched MANPADS rockets.
No he flew the F-102, Delta Dagger. The 106 was a much upgraded 102, and about the same size. Still I think that chase plane is a 106, but it's hard to tell at that resolution.
Check post #29. The chase plane is a TB-58A Hustler trainer.
Range and logisitics/timing. If you had 10 F-22s, you'd have to schedule 10 refuelings each time the birds needed a drink, and they'd need one more times than a big bomber would. You'd spend a lot of time hooking up to and unhooking from the tankers. The booom probably wouldn't work, having been designed and built by Frenchmen, or French nationals anyway, possible of the Islamic persuasion.
Head out to Dayton Ohio and Wright-Patterson AFB US Air Force Museum and actually touch both. The other (only two built) Valkyrie and a (still leaking fuel), SR-71. Not to mention a Raptor.
Awesome trip...don’t go in May. Those crazy Ham radio operators take over the town.
I should have realized that wasn't a fighter. Still 102, 106 and 58 all made by Convair, and the family resemblece is pretty obvious.
The reason I should have realized that was not a fighter was that I've stood under, and touched the surviving XB-70, and a Hustler too I think. (and a YF-12 the "fighter" version of the SR-71). At the Air Force Museum, Wright Patterson AFB, OH. About 25 years ago though.
It was, but Nixon, Ford and Carter sent it away.
Thanks, I had forgotten the Convair connection—the 102/106 and the B-58.
I’ve gotta get out to Dayton. I’m writing it on my bucket list;)
According to President Bush’s bio posted at whitehouse.gov he flew F-102’s.
Yea, but we didn't send BUFFs or even Bones to destroy it. We sent F-117s, with the RCS of a smooth golf ball, maybe less.
They did send it away, and I want it back!
I’m looking forward to sitting poolside at a glass canopied orbiting Hilton Hotel with a spaceport.
Looking out and seeing the universe.
“Bring back some B-52’s back from the Boneyard, that will do the trick.”
Unfortunately, the B52s are/were being chopped up as part of the arms reduction treaty.
You can see whole and chopped B52s on Google maps - SE of Tucson, AZ at Davis Monthan AFB.
Hope we don’t need them anytime soon...
Ever go to the bone yard in Tuscan? That place is an incredible trip. They have just about every aircraft ever made. They had a fully restored B24 (The Liberator), which my father flew in WWII. It really brought tears to my eyes. Well worth the trip.
What’s that beast? A Concord derivative bomber?
>>>The other (only two built) Valkyrie
They built two and a half. Interesting story about the SR 3 being built from the long lead components of the third bomber, serving as the carrier for the Blackstar space plane.
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=awst&id=news/030606p1.xml
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