B52's - show of force - why?
Discussion
See here - http://theaviationist.com/2016/01/11/b-52-overflie...
Now, I love a BUFF as much as the next guy (
) but this genuinely baffles me a bit.
Why is a B52 seen as a show of force when cruise missiles and ballistic missiles exist and the enemy knows you've got them?
Is it purely a psychological thing?
Now, I love a BUFF as much as the next guy (
) but this genuinely baffles me a bit.Why is a B52 seen as a show of force when cruise missiles and ballistic missiles exist and the enemy knows you've got them?
Is it purely a psychological thing?
t themselves and take the threat seriously if a squadron of B52 bombers appeared overhead and carpet bombed the capital. SwissJonese said:
A friend told me the USA keep these old beasts flying just for show of force, because all their more advanced/modern aircraft are too stealthy?
Not much point in show of force if the aircraft is near silent and invisible to radar.
The reason they're still in service is because they're relatively cheap to operate and are very effective at dropping a shed load of bombs at very long range.Not much point in show of force if the aircraft is near silent and invisible to radar.
A relatively small number of current US military aircraft are "stealth" aircraft.
Eric Mc said:
Shows of force can be just as effective as actually dropping bombs or firing missiles.
Read the book "Phoenix Squadron" to see how this technique can be used.
Damn good book Read the book "Phoenix Squadron" to see how this technique can be used.
It also mentions how Topgun was setup by the Yanks asking the Fleet Air Arm to borrow some trainers from Lossiemouth. Those trainers then trained a bunch of yanks who became the first instructors at Topgun.
Hooli said:
Damn good book
It also mentions how Topgun was setup by the Yanks asking the Fleet Air Arm to borrow some trainers from Lossiemouth. Those trainers then trained a bunch of yanks who became the first instructors at Topgun.
Are you sure about the Topgun bit? It also mentions how Topgun was setup by the Yanks asking the Fleet Air Arm to borrow some trainers from Lossiemouth. Those trainers then trained a bunch of yanks who became the first instructors at Topgun.
http://www.amazon.com/Scream-Eagles-Dramatic-Accou...
I've read this a couple of times and I don't recall any mention of the FAA.
Tango13 said:
Hooli said:
Damn good book
It also mentions how Topgun was setup by the Yanks asking the Fleet Air Arm to borrow some trainers from Lossiemouth. Those trainers then trained a bunch of yanks who became the first instructors at Topgun.
Are you sure about the Topgun bit? It also mentions how Topgun was setup by the Yanks asking the Fleet Air Arm to borrow some trainers from Lossiemouth. Those trainers then trained a bunch of yanks who became the first instructors at Topgun.
http://www.amazon.com/Scream-Eagles-Dramatic-Accou...
I've read this a couple of times and I don't recall any mention of the FAA.
Hooli said:
Tango13 said:
Hooli said:
Damn good book
It also mentions how Topgun was setup by the Yanks asking the Fleet Air Arm to borrow some trainers from Lossiemouth. Those trainers then trained a bunch of yanks who became the first instructors at Topgun.
Are you sure about the Topgun bit? It also mentions how Topgun was setup by the Yanks asking the Fleet Air Arm to borrow some trainers from Lossiemouth. Those trainers then trained a bunch of yanks who became the first instructors at Topgun.
http://www.amazon.com/Scream-Eagles-Dramatic-Accou...
I've read this a couple of times and I don't recall any mention of the FAA.
It is definitely in the book and I'm inclined to believe it, although it may be embellished a little.
This link is interesting: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/503...
That other book about Vietnam sounds interesting too, thanks for posting.
Hooli said:
Eric Mc said:
Shows of force can be just as effective as actually dropping bombs or firing missiles.
Read the book "Phoenix Squadron" to see how this technique can be used.
Damn good book Read the book "Phoenix Squadron" to see how this technique can be used.
It also mentions how Topgun was setup by the Yanks asking the Fleet Air Arm to borrow some trainers from Lossiemouth. Those trainers then trained a bunch of yanks who became the first instructors at Topgun.
Hooli said:
Damn good book
It also mentions how Topgun was setup by the Yanks asking the Fleet Air Arm to borrow some trainers from Lossiemouth. Those trainers then trained a bunch of yanks who became the first instructors at Topgun.
It's exaggerated but with some truth in it.It also mentions how Topgun was setup by the Yanks asking the Fleet Air Arm to borrow some trainers from Lossiemouth. Those trainers then trained a bunch of yanks who became the first instructors at Topgun.
When the US Navy decided to set up a school for air combat. One of their instructors was a South African born FAA pilot on an exchange assignment, Lt Cmdr DIck Lord. Although the US Navy hadn't taught air combat for years the FAA had never stopped and Lt Cmdr Lord had been an instructor on the course, so it's inconceivable that he didn't have significant input.
Inkyfingers said:
SwissJonese said:
A friend told me the USA keep these old beasts flying just for show of force, because all their more advanced/modern aircraft are too stealthy?
Not much point in show of force if the aircraft is near silent and invisible to radar.
The reason they're still in service is because they're relatively cheap to operate and are very effective at dropping a shed load of bombs at very long range.Not much point in show of force if the aircraft is near silent and invisible to radar.
Plus the old girls, despite their advancing years, are much more reliable than the newer, higher tech B-1 or B-2.
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