Why Wasn’t It Cost-Effective to Check the B-2 Stealth Bomber’s ‘Invisibility’ on Test Flights?
Your article, “Another B-2 Takes Flight, if Not as Well as Hoped” (Oct. 20), was a review of sorts of the progress of the B-2 Stealth bomber, along with a photograph of the “invisible” plane.
The second plane just flew for the first time. It was five months behind schedule and only in the air for 2 1/2 hours before mechanical problems caused the flight to be terminated.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Nov. 28, 1990 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday November 28, 1990 Home Edition Business Part D Page 2 Column 5 Financial Desk 1 inches; 29 words Type of Material: Correction
Photo credit--A file photograph of the B-2 Stealth bomber that ran in Business on Nov. 4 was incorrectly credited. The picture was taken by William G. Hartenstein of Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine.
What really bugs me is that the first plane has flown 16 flights and been grounded for the past several months “undergoing preparations for testing of its ability to avoid detection by radar.”
Aw, come off it, fellows. The radar-avoidance ability can be easily checked by putting the B-2 at one end of the runway with the radar equipment at the other end and seeing what shows up.
I suppose that system isn’t considered cost-effective because it wouldn’t cost $3 million to $4 million.
DOUGLAS PARMENTIER JR., Newport Beach
