Posted on 11/25/2020 4:37:26 PM PST by Mariner
The U.S. Air Force just proved it can externally mount an advanced stealth cruise missile on the B-1B Lancer for the first time, a step forward in plans to have the B-1 carry future ordnance -- like hypersonic missiles -- outside of its internal bomb bay.
In the demonstration, carried out by Air Force Materiel Command and Boeing Co., the B-1 carried an inert AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, known as JASSM, on an external pylon. Then, the aircraft demonstrated its "ability to safely release" a mounted AGM-158 separation test vehicle, according to Air Force Global Strike Command spokesman Lt. Col. David Faggard.
"The captive-carry event is actually not a test, but a demonstration to revalidate the previously dormant external carry capability pre-existing on the B-1," Faggard told Military.com. "No major modifications were needed."
He added, "This demonstration may pave the way possibly for the B-1B to carry hypersonic weapons externally."
Members of the 412th Test Wing's 419th Flight Test Squadron, Global Power Combined Test Force, carried out the proof-of-concept over Edwards Air Force Base, California, on Nov. 20.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
On the prettiest aircraft ever build.
And the most capable heavy bomber in the world.
She is a beauty. These stealth cruise missiles are scary from a first-strike capability, but we are not doing anything China and Russia are not doing.
Stealth bombers plus stealth cruise missiles sort of minimizes the theory of MAD doesn’t it?
actually helps enemies see they are assured destruction. its why Clinton gave our super computer tech to china and the pay offs,
Yahoo sucks.
Here is the original article from Military.com...
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/11/24/first-air-force-flies-b-1-bomber-externally-mounted-stealthy-cruise-missile.html
I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
With JASSMs and LRASMs loaded up, it packs a heck of a wallop.
“On the prettiest aircraft ever build. “
No, the De Havilland Dragon Rapide.
I worked for Rockwell, who built the B1-1, and it is a beautiful aircraft...
I am proud to have been on that team...
As I've said many times, the reason I sleep well is because of our Tridents. Bombers are good, but can be shot out of the sky. Land based ICBM's are becoming obsolete. No one knows where our Tridents are, even the enemy satellites if they cruise deep enough. They are our first line of deterrence and our last line of defense.
Bless our Submariners and their heavy duty.
It won’t be long before China will have one of these — courtesy of Biden and his administration (God forbid).
I worked on the B-1B radar test systems at General Dynamics. Wonder if my code is still running?
I guess that missile stuck out there isn’t going to hurt the radar cross section much...even though they made big changes in the B-1B to improve RCS and stealth.
I think the F22 Raptor and the B2 are the most beautiful aircraft built to date.
I got a list of targets for ‘em...
My vote is the elegant but nearly obsolete B1bone. Brute power in a sculpted athletic form. Hulking gorgeous.
The narrow nacelles always looked cool, but the gear didn’t retract, and it’s a bit big for just one pilot. Beechcraft staggerwing had a single and it is good looking for a giggle, though my vote for a small twin would be a -18.
Yes, even the B 52 is beautiful in it’s own way.
Nope the T-38 Talon.
Long live General Turgidson
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