Posted on 04/08/2010 6:47:23 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
As part of a newly unveiled Nuclear Posture Review, the Pentagon has made public plans to make its all-purpose stealth fighter capable of carrying nuclear weapons. But in the interim, it still has to cope with some massive (but not massively surprising) cost overruns on the aircraft, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The Nuclear Posture Review, a sweeping statement of purpose for the U.S. nuclear arsenal, cast light on a rarely-discussed piece of the nuclear deterrent: tactical nukes that are stationed in Europe. In a briefing yesterday, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said these weapons would remain a key piece NATO’s defensive shield. But he added that the review “does … draw attention to the number of tactical nuclear weapons, and also to the number of non-deployed weapons that we’re looking at; and that these clearly should be part of the arms-control agenda as we move forward.”
One of those “non-strategic” nukes is the B-61, a “dial-a-yield” bomb that can be delivered by a number of aircraft. According to the nuclear review, the Air Force plans to conduct a “full scope B-61 (nuclear bomb) Life Extension Program to ensure its functionality with the F-35″ to incorporate new safety, security and reliability enhancements.
According to the review, the Air Force wants to “retain a dual-capable fighter” that can drop both conventional and nuclear weapons as the F-16 Fighting Falcon is phased out and replaced by the F-35.
So far, so good. But the JSF program has been plagued by major cost overruns, as well as a serious slip in schedule. It now looks like the next-gen fighters won’t be ready for the Air Force until 2015, two years after they were supposed to become available.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.combataircraft.com ...
The F-22 would be the obvious aircraft for this project.
It’s super-cruise capabilities would give it a far superior chance of getting through should the need arise.
I agree with you.
Will they also install an espresso maker when they do the nuke upgrade? I gotta have my coffe when I’m nukin’ Muzzies in the morning!
The Raptor is already cleared to carry the B61.
Don’t give them any ideas.
Thanks Yo-Yo. Excellent...
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