Mach 2, 60,000 foot B-1R

Why bother converting a B-1 into a supersonic reconnaissance plane,when
they could reactivate the SR-71's? What advantage would there be?

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik-at-kua.net

"Jim Yanik" wrote in


Why bother converting a B-1 into a supersonic reconnaissance plane,when
they could reactivate the SR-71's? What advantage would there be?

"R" is apparently from "Rengine" not "Reconnaissance". The article describes
responses to an Air Force RFI for improved bombers.

Since the standardized designation system is gone out the window now
anyway, I won't be surprised if the R is for recon, instead of calling
it an RB-1D(?). ISTR back in the early-mid '80s a B-1C was proposed as a
long range interceptor for Soviet bombers to be equipped with the F-14
radar & Phoenix missiles in the bays & be operated by ADC. That was in a
news blurb in AWST way back then.

wrote
Since the standardized designation system is gone out the window now
anyway, I won't be surprised if the R is for recon, instead of calling
it an RB-1D(?).

You might actually_read_the article in AvWeek.. The USAF is clearly in the
market for better bombers, not recce platforms.

Paul F Austin wrote:

wrote
Since the standardized designation system is gone out the window now
anyway, I won't be surprised if the R is for recon, instead of calling
it an RB-1D(?).

You might actually_read_the article in AvWeek.. The USAF is clearly in the
market for better bombers, not recce platforms.

But think of the fun when the fifth version ( fourth modification ) is
introduced.

Bob McKellar

"Bob McKellar" wrote in message
...

But think of the fun when the fifth version ( fourth modification ) is
introduced.

Bob McKellar



B-1RD? ;o)
Steve R.

Bob McKellar wrote:

But think of the fun when the fifth version ( fourth modification ) is
introduced.

Heck, we're already at the Block E configuration which entains quite a
few changes to the systems.

Michael Kelly
Bone Maintainer



Bob McKellar

If I subscribed to AvWeek, I _would_ read the article.

wrote in message
...
If I subscribed to AvWeek, I _would_ read the article.

Most University libraries and large city libraries carry it. It's worth
while.

On Wed, 2 Jun 2004 23:50:43 +0000 (UTC), Jim Yanik wrote:



Why bother converting a B-1 into a supersonic reconnaissance plane,when
they could reactivate the SR-71's? What advantage would there be?

SRs are *very* expensive to operate and maintain. The savings achieved
by using the B-1 would soon pay for themselves.

Al Minyard