B-1 Bomber Alternative
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“If we don’t build more B-2s we don’t have obvious alternatives,” says Loren Thompson of the Lexington Institute [“Military Backers in House Urge Bush to Revive Stealth Program,” Jan. 13].
Thompson goes on to say the B-52 is not stealthy and can’t penetrate hostile airspace and questions how much longer it can fly.
No mention of the B-1 bomber. Why are 96 modern high-performance, penetrating tactical bombers left out of the bomber mix?
The B-1 can fly a few feet off the ground to penetrate hostile territory at near supersonic speed; the B-2 can’t. The B-1 can rush to and escape targets at supersonic speed; the subsonic B-2 can’t. They both have the same sophisticated weapons payload and weapons-delivery systems. Is there a reason to hide the B-1, with its tactical and performance pluses?
KEN JOHNSON
Pinon Hills, Calif.
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