U.S. Air Force warns Iran with huge show of strength as 52 fully-armed F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters...

The Daily Mail UK ^ | 06 Jan 2020 | Emily Crane

[Haiku Guy]

The B-52 wouldn’t be as much of a threat - these days it’s not a very good penetrator against modern air defenses. It can only be used if hostile air forces and much ground defense has been suppressed or destroyed.

So... next week, then...

[Spktyr]

They have more than a few new, modern systems. This was as of four years ago: https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2016-11/news-briefs/russia-completes-s-300-delivery-iran

[Spktyr]

The problem with that idea is that even with the mid-life SLEP, the AGM-86 hit end of life in 2019-2020. Electronic components only last so long - especially in equipment designed to be expendable. At this point, the AGM-86 isn’t considered reliable; the crew may hit launch and the thing just falls off the pylon without igniting the engine. Or it may launch, go off course and explode. Missiles have finite lifespans.

[Spktyr]

Pretty much, but again, the ‘52 isn’t nearly the initial threat it used to be - technology has moved on and the F-35 is far more threatening in terms of destroying defenses. The ‘52 is what happens to your country after your defenses are destroyed.

[2CAVTrooper]

It can carry cruise missiles such as the AGM-86 or the JASSM-ER.

[2CAVTrooper]

The AGM-129 ACM was retired in 2007 to placate some BS treaty with the Russians.

[2CAVTrooper]

And the AGM-86C has been retired too.

Only the nuclear armed AGM-86B, and the conventional JASSM-ER is available.

[M Kehoe]

Hi.

Happy New Year.

As you know air defenses would be suppressed by various means. Buffs have ECM and other counter measures.

Imho, we wouldn’t lose one BUFF.

5.56MM

[Cuttnhorse]

The B-52 wouldn’t be as much of a threat - these days it’s not a very good penetrator against modern air defenses.

Oh, I'm not so sure about that:

[Rebelbase]

Mullahs will claim it’s a photo shop and that there were only a dozen planes doing touch and goes.

[Rebelbase]

Jimmah was scared of a Soviet response.

[infool7]

The B-52 wouldn’t be as much of a threat - these days it’s not a very good penetrator against modern air defenses.

That's what the first 52 F-35's are for.

7

[NormsRevenge]

Jimmah was scared of a Soviet response.

..

and killer rabbits.

[Ban Draoi Marbh Draoi]

More like a swarm of locusts. — very deadly locusts.