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From: tad@killer.UUCP (Tad Marko)
Newsgroups: net.aviation,net.followup
Subject: Re: B-52s use force.
Message-ID: <257@killer.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 15-Aug-86 19:36:24 EDT
Article-I.D.: killer.257
Posted: Fri Aug 15 19:36:24 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 17-Aug-86 13:01:27 EDT
References: <1212@loral.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: The Unix(tm) Connection BBS, Dallas, Tx
Lines: 48
Summary: no scrapping
Xref: ihnp4 net.aviation:2375 net.followup:7056

In article <1212@loral.UUCP>, miller@loral.UUCP (David P. Miller) writes:
> Reprint from the 8-4-86 issue of Design News:
>
[...reprint of article...] 
> 
>         Wait a minute, 1988 (and beyond) ??. All along I was under the
> 	distinct impression that we where going to scrap these B-52s in
> 	favor of the new B-1Bs. What happened ?. It couldn't possibly be
> 	Grann-Rudman-Hollings !!.
> 
> 						 BIG DAVE.

Sorry, but the idea was never to scrap the B-52.  The B-1 is supposed to
take over missions which the B-52 no longer has any chance of completing
successfully, such as penetration of a well defensed air-space, such as
the Soviet Union.  The B-1 also can carry more weapons and is of course
better at avoiding detection by radar.  The B-52, however, is still good
for such things as bombing targets with relatively little anti-air
defense, such as they did in Vietnam.

Another reason why you won't find the B-52 being scrapped is that it is
impossible for the Air Force to acquire sufficient numbers of B-1's to
replace the entire B-52 fleet.  It would have almost been possible if
Jimmy Carter hadn't cancelled the program back in the 70's.  Then the
Air Force could have afforded almost *twice* as many B-1A's, had the
entire fleet of them now, and be converting them to B-1B standard along
with working the bugs out.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen, and B-1's
cost twice as much now than they would have 8 years ago.  Oh, well, that's
what happens when the government runs the military (things like Vietnam
happen, too).


> 
>                     "Uma vez Flamengo, sempre Flamengo ...." 
Translation, please?

					Tad

P.S.:	Sorry if replying to this here if it annoys any net.general
	readers.  I have a hard time not talking about military stuff
	when I get the chance, besides, it is kinda a general piece
	of information.  If anybody wants to know more, e-mail to me.

--
Tad Marko
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