Northrop Grumman has briefed senior Pentagon advisers on a concept for helping the Air Force ready two squadrons of its B-2 stealth bombers in time for a potential U.S. war against Iraq, according to sources familiar with the plan. Company officials reportedly hope their efforts might lay the groundwork for an unprecedented use of 16 B-2s on the first night of the war, unleashing such a level of destruction that the Iraqi leadership is virtually paralyzed by "shock and awe" at the outset, in the words of stealth bomber proponents. Bush administration officials have expressed an interest in expelling Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's regime and ridding that nation of weapons of mass destruction. U.S. government officials have met skepticism in Congress and abroad, though, about the military and political feasibility of undertaking such an attack.
Stealth bomber advocates say the massive weapons-carrying potential of the stealthy B-2 could be the administration's ace in the hole, if 16 or so aircraft are used from the first hour of war and beyond.
But as it stands, the B-2 is ill-prepared to undertake this kind of mission in such great number, Air Force officials acknowledge. As of last month, the service's 21 B-2s had only a 42 percent mission-capable rate, meaning just eight or so planes were ready to perform at least one of their assigned operational missions, these sources said.
To use 16 bombers at the war's outset currently would be "a stretch," said one defense expert. One of the aircraft was heavily damaged a few weeks ago when its landing gear collapsed, and another three B-2s are in depot, according to sources. Remaining B-2s need parts replaced and must be put into "pristine condition" before deploying for war, the defense expert said.
Inability to meet stealth, or "low-observability," requirements is the single greatest driver for the low B-2 readiness rates, Air Force officials say. The aircraft's composite skin needs what are often time-consuming repairs before it can meet expected standards. In fact, were low-observability requirements not a factor, the plane would remain relatively ready, boasting a rate closer to 80 percent mission-capable, according to service officials.
Experts trace the lagging stealth maintenance to a limited number of Air Force maintainers who specialize in repairing the B-2's unique low-observable skin. Composite-repair specialists are stretched thin across the B-2 fleet and the service's other stealthy fleet, the F-117 attack aircraft. And between recent operations in Afghanistan and a heavy training schedule to keep flight crews ready, the aircraft are often not available for a lengthy maintenance process.
Maintenance crews must strip off skin damaged by repeated flights and by a need to access aircraft parts that lie underneath. New skin must be grafted on in layers that require time-intensive smoothing and curing. The end result must be an almost seamless contour that resists radar detection.
To address lagging maintenance on the B-2, a Northrop Grumman representative last week briefed a top policy advisory board to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on how the company might temporarily augment the Air Force's maintenance crews, sources tell Inside the Pentagon.
Few in the Air Force itself were familiar with the company's proposal, though. Service officials said it appears Northrop Grumman is seeking high-level support in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Air Force before offering a formal proposal.
Recently, Northrop lost an open competition to provide annual contractor support to the service in helping maintain the B-2's low-observability features, Air Force officials said. A small start-up company prevailed over the B-2 prime contractor -- reportedly to Northrop officials' surprise and chagrin -- because the competitor offered the work of some 30 maintainers at a better price, officials said.
Northrop Grumman was "way more expensive," said one, noting the winning competitor had lower overhead.
One observer cited an anticipated cost of $1 million for the current Northrop Grumman concept to help prepare bombers for a war against Iraq. But estimates may vary, with one official noting the idea remains in an early "conceptual stage."
With a view toward the long term, the Air Force is already undertaking a B-2 "mission-capable rate improvement plan," crafted by Northrop Grumman, according to service officials. Ultimately, the Air Force will replace the traditional repair method using tape and caulking material with a new approach using spray-on, radar-absorbing coating tested on the B-2 at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. The new method promises to save time and money, but the current plan is to introduce it slowly over a period of seven years as B-2s cycle through depot.
In the nearer term, there is little doubt the aircraft must undergo repair before deploying. But some say the contractor augmentation Northrop Grumman is offering may be unnecessary. The low mission-capable rates on the B-2 do not adequately reflect the bomber's actual readiness to be used whenever duty calls, said one official. The aircraft can be employed with less-than-perfect stealth against many adversaries and targets, this source said.
When the Air Force sent B-2s against targets in Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom, the bomber maintained only a 60 percent or so mission-capable rate, suggesting it may be ready for war even when its low observability falls somewhat short of expected standards.
"The plane is always there when you need it," the official said, noting a number of B-2s are kept ready for short-notice deployment at Whiteman Air Force Base, MO, at all times.
-- Elaine M. Grossman
I don't care what it costs. Get them ready, even if it means taking funds from the homosexuals and abortionists who need it. :)
The Iraqi's have had more than a decade to shoot down one of our non-stealth fighters which enforce our no-fly zones over Iraq daily, and they still haven't managed to bring one down. Against even moderate stealth, their odds further deteriorate.