an FB-22/23 (i would like the -23) long range strike aircraft would be cool. I think the USAF will probably have a requirement for 2-3 squadrons of such aircraft, in order to replace the F-15E’s when they are ready for retirement. however by that time I expect major portions of the strike force to be UCAV.
The idea of using large bombers on ‘global power’ missions is the best in terms of efficiency manpower useage and asset ‘safety’ as being based far away from theatre is a safe proposition.
Given todays engine reliability and increasingly superior crew management aids and systems i c no reason why the US should not investigate a very long range high SUBsonic bomber.
All these hypersonic bomber programs and like dont seem to take into consideration the carriage of any stores and what the journey might do to them…..the heat and vibrations for example.
the subsonic bomber has none of the problems of drag and fuel burn and lacks only in terms of reaction times. the aircraft would have a long endurance on-station in order to be of most use, and carry a large payload of a variety of types of weapons in order to provide the best ‘force mix’ in terms of attack.
again i expect this requirement to become an unmanned aircraft in the forseeable future.
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