21st Century V Bomber

[Dr Jekyll]

I appreciate there are all sorts of reasons why this wouldn't happen. But just suppose someone decided to produce an updated version of one of the V bombers for dropping large numbers of bombs from medium altitude of opponents without air power. Much as the Americans do with the B52. What form would it take?

My guess is pick the Victor as the starting point as it's the one with the biggest load. Hopefully give all the crew ejection seats, but how many crew? The B1 has four, the B2 manages with 2 but presumably no on board radar.

What engines? I notice the engines of the B2 are roughly the same power as the Conways in the Victor B2. Or maybe just use two engines off a C17 if you could squeeze them in.

Could you make it significantly more stealthy without redesigning beyond recognition?

Edited by Dr Jekyll on Sunday 17th January 10:32

[Dr Jekyll]

And as the Nimrod debacle shows, refurbishing an old aircraft can be even more expensive than building new. But it does sound cheaper so easier to get past the politicians.

[Dr Jekyll]

RoverP6B said:

Start with the Vulcan, fit it with the development-of-593 Olympus destined for the stillborn Concorde II (which was going to have as much thrust, with no reheat, as the 593 had wet thrust), stick a bloody big cannon (or multiples thereof) in the nose too... the Victor and Valiant were very nice, but the Vulcan's stealth and manoeuverability was without parallel...

Why not start with a Concorde?