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New Nuclear Window Curtains For The B-52
Strategy Page Daily ^ | 12/16/08

Posted on 12/16/2008 6:59:43 AM PST by pabianice

December 16, 2008: The B-52 is upgrading its nuclear window shades. The original ones, which depended on ropes and pulleys to put sunshades over the inside of cockpit windows after a nuclear weapon was dropped (to prevent too much heat and light from the detonation from getting in), never worked well, and have long since fallen into disuse. Instead, crews bought the same kind of thermal shades used automobile windshields, and used those just to keep the aircraft cool while parked in sunny climes.

But now the U.S. Air Force is getting serious about B-52 use in nuclear warfare, and part of that preparation includes new “thermal curtains” for the half century old bomber. The new, seven shade set, costs $2,500, and is normally kept in a storage bag. Twice a year, there will be a drill, in which the “thermal curtains” will be taken out and deployed. The rest of the time, the crew will use new, cheaper, sun shades (costing about $300 a set) for just keeping the interior cooler when the sun (another nuclear explosion, actually) is bright, hot and shining through the 13 windows on the aircraft.

The new shades and “thermal curtains” will be issued to aircraft next year.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aerospace; carpet; drapes
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Why now? What does the government know that we don't? Iran? Islamonazis? Obama's "Department of Peace and Love?"
1 posted on 12/16/2008 6:59:43 AM PST by pabianice
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To: pabianice

Nothing new. It’s just a part of the “taking back the nuclear enterprise” gig that’s also resulting in the standup of Global Strike Command. A little like spring cleaning or fixing up your dad’s (or in this case, your granddad’s) old Chevy truck with some nice new seat covers.

Colonel, USAFR


2 posted on 12/16/2008 7:03:03 AM PST by jagusafr ("Bugs, Mr. Rico! Zillions of 'em!" - Robert Heinlein)
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To: pabianice
Nuclear combat, toe to toe, with the Rooskies...
3 posted on 12/16/2008 7:03:19 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

LOVE SHACK,
BABY LOVE SHACK!


4 posted on 12/16/2008 7:04:00 AM PST by babble-on
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To: pabianice
Nothing sinister about it, just a little news article to say some things that are Cold War vintage are being replaced with modern, up to date gear.

No implications at all about prepardeness.

Honest.

5 posted on 12/16/2008 7:04:46 AM PST by Pistolshot ("Democrats don't show respect, they just demand respect " - ClearCase_guy)
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To: pabianice; zot

Funny, with Nobama’s desire to unilaterally disarm the US of nuclear weapons, I’m expecting another type of “curtains” for the B-52.


6 posted on 12/16/2008 7:05:32 AM PST by GreyFriar (Spearhead (3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87))
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To: jagusafr; theDentist; SmithL; EODGUY; Cyber Liberty

Interesting though that nuke warfare is being discussed (disgusted) more today as an active possibility than under Bush’s rule.


7 posted on 12/16/2008 7:05:48 AM PST by Robert A Cook PE (I can only donate monthly, but socialists' ABBCNNBCBS continue to lie every day!)
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To: pabianice
"We don't know where the nukes are but how about those new drapes."


8 posted on 12/16/2008 7:08:00 AM PST by A.A. Cunningham
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To: pabianice

Pansies. All we got was an eye patch to wear so that after the detonation we’d have one eye left to get home.


9 posted on 12/16/2008 7:08:27 AM PST by paddles
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To: pabianice
Maybe it's just me, but if we were to find the need to slip someone a little nuclear medicine I really don't think the BUFF would be the first, second, or fifth best choice in delivery method.

Still, it amazes me that this ancient airframe has remained so useful.

10 posted on 12/16/2008 7:08:35 AM PST by AngryJawa (SOCIALISM SUCKS)
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To: pabianice
Revitalization of the nuclear enterprise. Part of an entire plan to modernize and refocus (recall the nuke incidents these past few years). Also, given the nuke posture of the US is slouching, this is much needed because the B-52 remains a critical component of the nuke forces and will be for decades to come.
11 posted on 12/16/2008 7:10:15 AM PST by Hulka
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To: pabianice
"...costs $2,500..."

WTF? Must be a misprint. Gotta be about 6 zeroes missing.

Since when is ANY weapons system measured in hundreds or thousands of dollars?

12 posted on 12/16/2008 7:10:30 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

Nucular.


13 posted on 12/16/2008 7:11:05 AM PST by OKSooner
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

14 posted on 12/16/2008 7:11:44 AM PST by redstateconfidential (" An American Idol President")
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To: pabianice
The original ones, which depended on ropes and pulleys to put sunshades over the inside of cockpit windows after a nuclear weapon was dropped , never worked well, and have long since fallen into disuse.

I didn't know that they were ever used. It was B-29s that dropped the nukes on Japan.

15 posted on 12/16/2008 7:11:57 AM PST by Between the Lines (I am very cognizant of my fallibility, sinfulness, and other limitations.)
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To: Eric in the Ozarks
Kong checks the contents of his survival kit with his crew on board the B-52:

- one .45 caliber automatic
- two boxes of ammunition
- four days' concentrated emergency rations
- one drug issue containing antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizer pills
- one miniature combination Russian (pronounced 'Rooshan') phrase book and Bible
- one hundred dollars in rubles
- one hundred dollars in gold
- nine packs of chewing gum
- one issue of prophylactics
- three lipsticks
- three pair of nylon stockings

"Shoot, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff."

16 posted on 12/16/2008 7:12:18 AM PST by Pistolshot ("Democrats don't show respect, they just demand respect " - ClearCase_guy)
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To: pabianice

Major T. J. “King” Kong Survival kit contents check. In them you’ll find: one forty-five caliber automatic; two boxes of ammunition; four days’ concentrated emergency rations; one drug issue containing antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizer pills; one miniature combination Russian phrase book and Bible; one hundred dollars in rubles; one hundred dollars in gold; nine packs of chewing gum; one issue of prophylactics; three lipsticks; three pair of nylon stockings. Shoot, a fella’ could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff.


17 posted on 12/16/2008 7:12:38 AM PST by truemiester ((If the U.S. should fail, a veil of darkness will come over the Earth for a thousand years))
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

Great. Now I am inspired to watch Dr. Strangelove—AGAIN! lol


18 posted on 12/16/2008 7:13:29 AM PST by shoutingandpointing
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To: pabianice

Whew, I am relieved to read about the upgrades
and glad that the old classic still has a role to play.
I first read the headline “...Curtains For The B-52...”
and thought it was bad news for the old birds.


19 posted on 12/16/2008 7:14:07 AM PST by Repeal The 17th
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

Thank you Major Kong, that was awesome.


20 posted on 12/16/2008 7:15:31 AM PST by thecabal (We care a lot)
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