Posted on 12/02/2022 5:02:46 PM PST by SpeedyInTexas
He was pretty clear it was the intake structure that was of concern. It rally caught me by surprise. Maybe materials? No idea.
Maybe. 🤪😀👍😆☝️
That caught my eye also. Interesting.
Wow. That would be a lifespan for the B-52 of about 85 years.
No. Not 85 years—that would have been 1937 earliest design. I doubt that.
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Mentioned end-of-life for B-52 in year 2035
Initial development: c. 1950
2035 - 1950 = 85 years
OK, I guess I missed that pointm
Above is a picture of an F-15...no stealth. If there were sufficient light in the intake, you would see some turbine blades of both engines.
Below is a picture of an F-22...stealth.
If there were sufficient light in the intake, you would not see turbine blades of either engines.
Engine exhaust heat is a stealth issue for heat seeking missiles. IR SAMs typically can't reach the altitude where these guys fly.
Probably RAM (Radar Absorbing Material).
“It doesn’t look like it has a large carrying capacity.”
It’s not intended to be a B-52 style bomb truck used to carpet bomb area targets.
“Three or four?”
The air force plans on a minimum of 100, with options for an additional 45 to 100.
As it stands right now, we only have about 65 bombers across 3 different platforms that are mission capable at any one time.
“3 or 4” was a joke based on the F22 budget and procurement debacle.
Great images. Thank you so much for posting them!
Yes, I understand that now.
I never read prior that it was to replace the B-2, but some artificial it was being produced to replace the B-52
“The B52’s military service has outlasted that of many aircraft of every air force across the globe, eh?”
About the same as the Tu-95 Bear (November 1952)
“I noticed the intakes mentioned a couple times. Can anyone explain why the intakes matter that much.”
Has something to do with the internal shape and the baffles inside that block radar waves from reaching the fan blades of the engines.
“Wow. That would be a lifespan for the B-52 of about 85 years.”
“No. Not 85 years—that would have been 1937 earliest design. I doubt that.”
I believe that Flick was referring to is that the B-52 will be at least 85 years old if they were to start being retired in 2035.
Although, I’ve read that the air force is planning on keeping them until 2050-2055 timeframe hence the reason for the new engines and radars being installed.
https://theaviationist.com/2022/09/25/b-52-new-engine-nacelles-test/
“paper tiger”
Isn’t that what the chicoms named their H-20 “stealth” bomber?
Although, I’ve read that the air force is planning on keeping them until 2050-2055 timeframe hence the reason for the new engines and radars being installed.
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That would be even more amazing. It would be as if the Air Force were flying aircraft today which were operational back in WW1. That is a testament to one heck of a good design.
““3 or 4” was a joke based on the F22 budget and procurement debacle.”
If the F-22 was procured on a 1 for 1 replacement schedule to include the F-15E and export to Japan and Israel (approx 1,000 airframes total) it would have been a lot cheaper.
Not many people still alive that were soused in the consuming events of WWII. My remembrances are rooted in the daily opening of my first grade indoctrination in September 1942 by learning the words of the Salute to our Flag, and starting every school day by applying it, still a procedure that remains my goal of how to be an American Patriot, never to be forgotten through all eternity.
The moniker 2CAVTrooper rings the Liberty Bell for me, my FRiend, loud and clear! (Even though I've always been little cracked myself, heh heh!)
And my sincere gratefulness for your priceless service to the God-given Republic for which our Ensign stands.
(I wonder how much of a weight burden the changes of its avionics has resulted in a bigger payload.)
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