Posted on 01/24/2011 10:27:29 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The United States Air Force has long been the envy of the world's militaries—sleek, high-tech and lethal to all who opposed it. Now, at a clandestine military base that serves as the headquarters for the Afghanistan air war, you stare at the rows and rows of decades-old planes and wonder how those things manage to make it into the sky.
A maintenance crew works on a rusting, Reagan-era B-1B bomber, its black, bird-like frame soaking in the desert sun. These days the plane has to spend 48.4 hours in the repair shop for every hour it's in the air. Even older are the tankers that are supposed to keep those bombers (and every other airplane) flying. They were built during the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations. Inside one cockpit, the navigator's station is literally held together by duct tape. "It's absolutely amazing it stays in the air still," the pilot tells me.
For today's wars, the Pentagon can get by with this fleet, plus some new drones and light surveillance aircraft. (The Taliban doesn't have an air force.) But for tomorrow's fights, those creaky planes could be a serious concern. Russia and China are working on advanced jets and next-generation anti-aircraft systems. Both countries are willing to sell their latest gear to the world's most cancerous regimes.
The U.S. Air Force needs an upgrade. Bad. The problem is the funds to modernize are limited, and the war in Afghanistan has to be priority No. 1. So the trick is to get a new flying fleet on the cheap. It'll be tough to do. But it's not impossible.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Seriously, how beautiful a plane is the B1B?
What a silly comparison!!
The United States Air Force - the envy of the world’s militaries—sleek, high-tech and lethal to all who oppose its funding increases and weapons-delivery-platform procurements.
With all due respect, I think you meant Rio Linda, if you were using Rush’s line. Yorba Linda is a bastion of The Right, and I’m willing to wager, the educational level ranks up there with any place on the planet (an affluent town). It is also the home of The Nixon Presidential Library and Birthplace. Thank you.
...and you can see Podunk from your back stoop...
At what rate are our production lines cranking F-22s - and for how long?
A lot of our technology in both Russia and China’s hands. The Clinton Administration sold Russia supercomputer technology so they have been able to develop their new generation of nuclear missiles. China received a lot of GPS and other missile technology.
Thanks! You’ve just confirmed that our own government is responsible.
Of course, I knew BillyJeff handed over technology to China like it was Christmas.
I’m sorry to hear about Russia.
Bill Clinton gave everything to the Chinese.
Our missle technology was wrapped under the tree for the Chinese...with a card that said, “Merry Christmas, Love, Bill.”
Thanks...;o)
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