Air Force to announce Long Range Strike Bomber contract award. What are your thoughts?

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 12:55:23 -0400

Today I received a DoD Advisory announcing that the Air Force will be announcing the contract award of the long range bomber contract this afternoon at 5:15 PM eastern standard time.
I expect this will be a fairly expensive contract. We have been fighting against islamic radicals for some time and have had limited requirements for long range bombers - conventional or stealth technology. Russia has been stepping up its game and Iran has been rattling swords for some time. What are your thoughts on the need for a new long rang bomber contract either to revamp the existing fleet or replace all or part of it?

http://www.defense.gov/News/Press-Advisories/Press-Advisory-View/Article/626036/air-force-to-announce-long-range-strike-bomber-contract-award?source=GovDelivery

Air Force to Announce Long Range Strike Bomber Contract Award

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III will announce the long range strike bomber contract award at

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 12:56 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 12:56:25 -0400

I thought the B2 was the bomb diggity

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 27 at 2015 12:59 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 12:59:52 -0400

I think we need to upgrade part of our existing bomber fleet and that we may well need a future bomber in limited numbers in the next 20 years. Therefore I think the new bomber contract makes sense and hope it will include future development as well as upgrading and maintaining the existing fleet - granted this will take more than one contract.

Response by SrA Daniel Hunter made Oct 27 at 2015 3:24 PM

SrA Daniel Hunter — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 15:24:17 -0400

Start with the B-52 air frame, update the engines, avionics, and flight controls. It worked for the UH-1, why not?

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Oct 27 at 2015 4:57 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 16:57:58 -0400

Between Stratofortress, Lancer, and Spirit we have the ability to deliver our wrath where we need to when we need to. I think we just need to make sure that they have all the best possible avionics, controls, redundant backups, and crew comforts possible on the air frame.

Response by MSgt Daniel Attilio made Oct 27 at 2015 4:59 PM

MSgt Daniel Attilio — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 16:59:39 -0400

Awesome, I think its overdue since strategic reach has not been the flavor of the month for many years. One of my dad's tours in Vietnam was as a tail gunner aboard B-52s. It is kind of funny to see a B-52 in a museum and then several steps over, still on the flight line.

Response by CPT Alan W. made Oct 27 at 2015 6:57 PM

CPT Alan W. — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 18:57:20 -0400

**(upgrade existing) and keep the A-10 as well.

Response by TSgt Gwen Walcott made Oct 29 at 2015 2:10 PM

TSgt Gwen Walcott — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 14:10:49 -0400

For Grumman to get into the fray, the B3 will be a mere expensive upgrade to the B2.
Save $$ and re-constitute the B-1 line