B-2 Stealth Bomber Crashes: $1.2 Billion Goes Up in Smoke
February 23rd, 2008Via: AFP:
The US military was investigating on Saturday after a B-2 stealth bomber crashed on take-off from the Pacific island of Guam, the first such incident involving the futuristic craft.
Both pilots on board ejected safely as the 1.2-billion-dollar radar-evading plane, with its distinctive triangular shape, went down at Andersen airbase on the remote island, the US air force said.
“Two pilots from the 509th Bomb Wing were on board and ejected. They have been evaluated by medical authorities and are in good condition,” it said.
“Emergency responders are on scene. A board of officers will investigate the accident,” said the headquarters of the US air force in the Pacific.
It was the second US air force crash this week after two F-15C jets collided during training over the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, killing a fighter pilot.
Crowds gathered at the crash site after the bomber, one of just 21 in the air force inventory, went down at about 10:45 am (0045 GMT).
A thick plume of smoke rose over the airbase and officials closed one of its two runways, diverting planes to Guam International Airport, the Pacific Daily News website said.
When I went to the hometown for Xmas, I saw a military documentary on cable TV about how advanced and expensive the B2 is. This is the first time in sixteen years of use a B2 went down like this, so it probably doens’t mean this fighter-plane is a piece of junk. However, if a whole bunch of them start crashing like this, then it probably means they don’t age well.
Re: The B2 as a “fighter-plane”: You’ll want to check your math on that one.
regarding age and such, what first comes to my mind about the B-2 is it’s unorthodox dependency on computer systems onboard to constantly compensate for it’s otherwise innately ungainly (unstable is more apt) flight characteristics: what if it’s the electronics that don’t age well, or rather become themselves more maintenance intensive and maintenance quirky as they age? at any rate, the age question was well raised.
and yeah, they’re bombers.
I know somebody who worked at a major defense contracting company, specializing in radar systems back in the ’80s. He said everybody knew that the Stealth planes couldn’t really evade radar (at least a quality radar system, like the Soviets had), and that Northrop Grumman, the company that made the Stealths, must have known it too.
The Stealth planes are just another hugely expensive boondoggle the Defense Department has come out with over the years (remember the Osprey? Wonder if they still produce those).
I’ve often wondered why more people don’t raise Holy Hell about the billions and billions of dollars wasted on defense programs every year. But then I’m reminded when I read articles like this:
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/01/23/6553/
“Military Keynesianism”. Our economy depends on it.
tm, Sure it might show up on your export quality Russian or Chinese systems, depending on the bands used.
The problem is, on or off, the USA lights up anything of interest, first time, every time.
One neat trick that was looked at was to use a passive radar system via cellular telephone towers.
Kevin said:
Re: The B2 as a “fighter-plane”: You’ll want to check your math on that one.
Check the math on this one, if you’re into toys:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as33-0npooQ