Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!spool2.mu.edu!sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!cbnews!cbnews!military From: newave!john@uunet.UU.NET (John A. Weeks III) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: B-52, B-1, B-2, and F-14 in Des. Storm Message-ID: <1991Jan23.033227.996@cbnews.att.com> Date: 23 Jan 91 03:32:27 GMT References: <1991Jan21.033250.29291@cbnews.att.com> Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker) Organization: NeWave Communications Ltd, Eden Prairie, MN Lines: 71 Approved: military@att.att.com From: newave!john@uunet.UU.NET (John A. Weeks III) >From: ccc@anomaly.SBS.COM (Cole Calistra) > 1. I have not heard any mention of the B-1B, or the B-2 Stealth Bomber > being over in Saudi Arabia, or any of our staging areas. The USA does not have any B-2 bombers. We only have two experimental B-2 bombers. Any other stealth bombers would be classified (otherwise I would know about them 8-). The B-1 is better suited to US strategic defense, and the B-52 is perfect for the air offensive in Iraq. > If not, why not? Wouldn't the B-2 be even BETTER suited than the F-117 > for night bombing under the Stealth radar avoidance? Depends upon the mission. F-117 is for pinpoint bombing of high valued targets with 2 2,000 pound laser guided smart bombs. The proposed B-2 is for delivering the nuke in highly defended areas. Delivering large quantites of dumb bombs is a proposed alternate mission for the B-2. Determine what kind of mission you have, then use the correct plane. > Wouldn't the B-1B be better for carpet bombing than the B-52 since it's > faster, or are they not in service yet? B-1B has been operational for several years. Speed makes no difference in the mission of the B-52 or the B-1B, both planes are currently configured for high sub-sonic low-level penetration. Both planes can also fly high- level missions in lightly defended areas. B-1B does have a supersonic dash, but it severly limits your range and a sonic boom will alert your enemy of your location. B-52 is the right plane for the mission because our B-1s are needed for defense of the USA. > 2. Is the SR-71 still in service in Turkey as was reported in sci.military > (or should I say rumored) bacak in July and August? The SR-71 has been retired from USAF service. Any SR-71 or CIA A-12 usage would be classified and should not be discussed. If you were speculating, it would be safe to assume that they have recon planes, but given the Iraqie defenses against high flying planes, the SR-71 is not required. > 3. Can the F-14 be used as a bomber, if necessary? There are better planes for this roll. The F-15E would be ideal, and the A-6 and F/A-18 have respective bomb loads. The Tomcat has swing wings, thus it does not have any underwing hard points. Mounting bombs on the Tomcat could only be done at the risk of removing its missiles. You do not want to risk a Tomcat by removing its claws. > What is the F-14's main role in Desert Storm since the engagement of Iraqi > planes has been limited at best? Primary roll is fleet defense for the carriers, secondary roll is escort of atacking bombers in Iraq. Normally, all of the Tomcats would be busy with the carriers, so the Navy must be confident that Iraq does not pose much of an offensive threat to the flattops. > 4. Are the Canadian CF-18's able to be dual role attack and fighter planes > like the US F/A-18's are? When delivered, the CF-18s were almost identical to the F/A-18. They could serve either roll. -john- -- =============================================================================== John A. Weeks III (612) 942-6969 john@newave.mn.org NeWave Communications ...uunet!rosevax!tcnet!wd0gol!newave!john ===============================================================================