Backtalk: Delaying new bomber would be a mistake

[unhappycamper]

Delaying new bomber would be a mistake
By Robert F. Dorr

The Air Force must move forward on a new bomber.

The nation needs it. Troops deserve it. A new bomber is even required by law.

With a force of 180 planes, the Air Force’s bomber fleet is at its lowest strength since the mid-1930s.

The service’s 21 B-2 Spirit bombers are its newest, but the last was delivered a decade ago and the planes lack versatility. The 65 B-1B Lancer bombers have survived a troubled gestation to become extremely useful, but they’re expensive to operate, weren’t built for longevity and will need to be retired soon. Only our 94 B-52 Stratofortresses, of which 65 are combat-ready, can carry any bomb, over any distance, to perform a range of nuclear and conventional strike missions.

But we’ve relied on the B-52 for too long. We must move ahead.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/community/opinion/airforce_backtalk_newbomber_080211/