Warplanes: August 2, 2002

Archives

Advocates of the B-1B bomber fear that the Air Force and Pentagon plan to retire it and sell the planes for scrap. When the B-1B force was cut from 90 to 65, the Air Force insisted that the money saved would all be spent improving the bomber's jammer systems so that it could operate over enemy territory. But now at least half of the money will be used for things not related to the B-1B, and supporters of the Lancer feel this is the first step toward eliminating the plane from service. If the B-1B's jammers are not improved, it would not be able to operate over Russian-built S-300 and S-400 defenses, but would be limited to a stand-off role launching cruise missiles. While the B-1B is faster, the B-52 can do that job cheaper.--Stephen V Cole

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close