Re: Indeed

Post #12,211 by Arkadiy 10/8/01 10:07:42 AM Reply	Re: Indeed B2 is used to disrupt large-scale air defence networks. If we have to"invade Pakistan for our own protection", B2 will be priceless.
Post #12,243 by deSitter 10/8/01 12:36:13 PM Reply	Nope In the current context, with no air force or significant SAM capability to worry about, the B2 will work - as would an old B17 or B29. But the B2 was built to fly low and slow into Russian airspace and drop nukes, after the final war was mostly over. Any other mission is derivative and invented to justify the existence of a multi-billion-per-copy lemon.
Post #12,245 by bepatient 10/8/01 12:41:54 PM Reply	Low maybe... slow NOT. Designed to fly under radar at very high speeds. You were born...and so you're free...so Happy Birthday! _{Laurie Anderson} [link\|mailto:bepatient@aol.com\|BePatient]
Post #12,254 by deSitter 10/8/01 12:56:52 PM Reply	Impossible The B2 has insufficient propulsion to fly very fast. It can't even go supersonic - more like a commercial airliner. High thrust engines with afterburners are not consistent with stealth. You may be thinking of the B1, which is semi-stealthy and can fly very fast, but is more of a light attack bomber like the old B58 Hustler or earlier B47 Stratojet. The B2 has one advantage not forseen when it was being designed - it can carry a lot of smart weapons, like a bloated F117. But that is not its designed mission, and against a capable opponent it would fail miserably in that role.
Post #12,258 by Andrew Grygus 10/8/01 1:14:50 PM Reply	Re: Impossible But that is not its designed mission, and against a capable opponent it would fail miserably in that role. And aircraft cariers would be useless against an enemy with submarines, but against an enemy that doesn't have them, quite effective. As to "speed", it's strictly relative to how close to the ground you are. [link\|http://www.aaxnet.com\|AAx]
Post #12,269 by bepatient 10/8/01 1:53:07 PM Reply	Oops...you're right...my thinking was B1B You were born...and so you're free...so Happy Birthday! _{Laurie Anderson} [link\|mailto:bepatient@aol.com\|BePatient]
Post #12,256 by Andrew Grygus 10/8/01 1:07:03 PM Reply	True. On the other hand . . . . the B52 wasn't designed for conventional bombs either, but a pattern release of 105 500# bombs makes it pretty effective in conventional warfare. Right now I think the B2 run was psychological. I'm sure taking them off from deep within the continental U.S., hitting Afghanistan and landing them back where they came from has made an impression in more countries than just Afghanistan. Knowing we could do it is different from seeing it done. Anyway, right or wrong, we have B2s, built and paid for, with maintenance contracts already signed, so we might as well find something for them to do. [link\|http://www.aaxnet.com\|AAx]
Post #12,287 by Arkadiy 10/8/01 3:22:47 PM Reply	Who has "air forse or significant SAM capability" ... ... for killing _most_ of B2s sent their way? If that is not done, next thing you have - no air defence.

Welcome to IWETHEY!