- Joined
- 21 April 2009
- Messages
- 13,325
- Reaction score
- 6,397
Report Advocates for Air Force to Buy at Least 20 B-21s Per Year
Report Advocates for Air Force to Buy at Least 20 B-21s Per Year
Report Advocates for Air Force to Buy at Least 20 B-21s Per Year
Report Advocates for Air Force to Buy at Least 20 B-21s Per Yearwww.nationaldefensemagazine.org
That seems a reasonable amount of B-21s to build per year. I would suspect that at that rate the first to be retired would be the early B-1Bs
B-2 production rate was planned 24 per year AFAIR. And technologies somewhat progressed for the last 40 years.Report Advocates for Air Force to Buy at Least 20 B-21s Per Year
Report Advocates for Air Force to Buy at Least 20 B-21s Per Yearwww.nationaldefensemagazine.org
Hard to argue with that, though I don't know how realistic it is.
I did not know that the B-1Bs were now to be retired in the 2030s, thanks Josh_TN. I had previously thought that the USAF were to retire the B-1Bs first then the B-2s as more B-21s joined active service squadrons.
B-2 production rate was planned 24 per year AFAIR. And technologies somewhat progressed for the last 40 years.Report Advocates for Air Force to Buy at Least 20 B-21s Per Year
Report Advocates for Air Force to Buy at Least 20 B-21s Per Yearwww.nationaldefensemagazine.org
Hard to argue with that, though I don't know how realistic it is.
Modern assembly line is all about technology.
Interesting read.The Weekly Debrief: Will The B-21 Reach First Flight Faster Than Stealth Peers? No. | Aviation Week Network
U.S. Air Force officials have not backed off predictions of a first flight coming later this year, but certain conditions and a note of doubt have creeped in.aviationweek.com
I am pretty sure about the 300hr/yr limit though; I read that very recently. I had also thought that B-1s were to be retired first...I'm not sure where that stands now.
Of the 3 mentioned, Dyess has lots of ramp space, especially if they move the C-130’s to another base. If they go with a larger number Grand Forks comes to mind as a former bomber base without bombers presently that would offer more ramp space.The announced B-21 basing plan so far is:
- Ellsworth
- Dyess
- Whiteman
These bases are not going to be massively expanded. The B-21 will be replacing existing aircraft. It would be safe to assume this means B-1s will be phased out as B-21s come in, and then (eventually) the B-2s will be replaced by B-21s, if they get the number of B-21s they want. If they can't get them, they keep the B-2s as long as they can.
That would be a good idea for any Military Air Base should their runways be cratered or damaged by storms or earthquakes.Interestingly, the report mentions the availability of quick drying concrete for runway repairs: as soon as 3 hours after pouring, a C-17 can land.
![]()
Rounds signals purpose of B-21 bomber: 'China deterrence weapon'
Defense and congressional officials are hinting at the role the incoming B-21 bomber may have. This week’s remarks during a military symposium in the Black Hills mark some of the first times an American adversary is mentioned in relation to the next-generation stealth bomber.listen.sdpb.org
Those planes can do a lot of magic when up in the air, but they are vulnerable on the ground and upon take off.The recent dissertation on bomber development discussed the program’s requirements (and the cancelled program before that) which made it unambiguously clear the B-21 program’s requirements were explicitly set around a war with China. Range was practically the number one requirement.
This is not the problem of B-21, it is the security problem of the military base itself.Those planes can do a lot of magic when up in the air, but they are vulnerable on the ground and upon take off.The recent dissertation on bomber development discussed the program’s requirements (and the cancelled program before that) which made it unambiguously clear the B-21 program’s requirements were explicitly set around a war with China. Range was practically the number one requirement.
Do you ever wonder how easy it would be for foreign actors within the US to set something up to target the B-21s upon taxi/takeoff?
Maybe something unconventional but effective. Can you think of any countries that purchase land around US military bases?
This is not the problem of B-21, it is the security problem of the military base itself.
Keeping security of weapons assets is the responsibility of military bases.
That‘s mitigated to a large degree by a combat departure where you crank it into a turning climb over the base. So long as the base perimeter is secure it’s a bit harder to use manpads during this vulnerable phase of flight.Those planes can do a lot of magic when up in the air, but they are vulnerable on the ground and upon take off.
Do you ever wonder how easy it would be for foreign actors within the US to set something up to target the B-21s upon taxi/takeoff?
Maybe something unconventional but effective. Can you think of any countries that purchase land around US military bases?
Which is why we have a triad...Those planes can do a lot of magic when up in the air, but they are vulnerable on the ground and upon take off.The recent dissertation on bomber development discussed the program’s requirements (and the cancelled program before that) which made it unambiguously clear the B-21 program’s requirements were explicitly set around a war with China. Range was practically the number one requirement.
Do you ever wonder how easy it would be for foreign actors within the US to set something up to target the B-21s upon taxi/takeoff?
Maybe something unconventional but effective. Can you think of any countries that purchase land around US military bases?
That‘s mitigated to a large degree by a combat departure where you crank it into a turning climb over the base. So long as the base perimeter is secure it’s a bit harder to use manpads during this vulnerable phase of flight.
How aggressive of a climb do you think the B-21 could execute?
What would stop a swarm of UAVs from loitering just outside the runway perimeter and distributing clouds of chaff to target its intakes?
Cheap and unconventional.
We seem to not be able to keep presumedly Chinese/Russian UAPs from snooping around military bases. I bet there are already dormant assets, maybe layers of them patiently waiting for their day to be activated.This is not the problem of B-21, it is the security problem of the military base itself.Those planes can do a lot of magic when up in the air, but they are vulnerable on the ground and upon take off.The recent dissertation on bomber development discussed the program’s requirements (and the cancelled program before that) which made it unambiguously clear the B-21 program’s requirements were explicitly set around a war with China. Range was practically the number one requirement.
Do you ever wonder how easy it would be for foreign actors within the US to set something up to target the B-21s upon taxi/takeoff?
Maybe something unconventional but effective. Can you think of any countries that purchase land around US military bases?
Keeping security of weapons assets is the responsibility of military bases.
The most important thing is to destroy their kill chain and the transmission ability of the intelligence network to turn those UAVs into fire sticks.We seem to not be able to keep presumedly Chinese/Russian UAPs from snooping around military bases. I bet there are already dormant assets, maybe layers of them patiently waiting for their day to be activated.This is not the problem of B-21, it is the security problem of the military base itself.Those planes can do a lot of magic when up in the air, but they are vulnerable on the ground and upon take off.The recent dissertation on bomber development discussed the program’s requirements (and the cancelled program before that) which made it unambiguously clear the B-21 program’s requirements were explicitly set around a war with China. Range was practically the number one requirement.
Do you ever wonder how easy it would be for foreign actors within the US to set something up to target the B-21s upon taxi/takeoff?
Maybe something unconventional but effective. Can you think of any countries that purchase land around US military bases?
Keeping security of weapons assets is the responsibility of military bases.