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The XB-70 (2019)

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Re: The XB-70 (2019)

#131

Post by 0xffff2 »

tqi wrote: post #18

"got a job with the Flight Propulsion Division of General Electric in Evendale (just outside of Cincinnati), initially working night shift in the Controls and Accessories department... the engine required the efforts of hundreds of engineers to design everything from a new turbofan and compressor, to new fire-suppression systems, to a special high-temperature fuel. Exactly what part my dad worked on is unclear; I alw…

At that point in the story, the dad didn't have a degree yet. I know _a lot_ fewer people did back then, but it's not entirely clear to me that he was working a white-collar job at that point.

Re: The XB-70 (2019)

#132

Post by jiggawatts »

nradov wrote: post #114
jiggawatts wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Making such a plane, yes, I have a pretty decent clue. It's not that hard. It was done with early 1950s technology! Certifying, sadly... also yes. I work in government. Do you think the enemy cares whether you're properly certified or not? Similarly, do you think hackers care if your CISO has all of your security audit paperwork nicely rubber stamped? Do viruses care if your unpatched servers have been officially exe…

There's quite a bit of extra hardware needed on the aircraft for the nuclear mission. As well as testing for stuff like weapons separation. None of that is easy or cheap on converted civilian designs. You would know this if you had bothered to do some basic research instead of posting ignorant and irrelevant comments. Like many arrogant engineers who love to pontificate about topics outside your area of expertise, I'…

Go do the research yourself please and link to articles that explain why carrying a cruise missile with nuclear warhead instead of a high explosive warhead adds $60M in annual maintenance costs to each active bomber.

Re: The XB-70 (2019)

#133

Post by nradov »

ben7799 wrote: post #119
nradov wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nah. Everything we know about the B-21 indicates that it's probably pretty survivable against the Chinese air defense system. Especially for stand-off strikes near the Taiwan Strait where it wouldn't have to overfly radar stations. The design was literally optimized for exactly that purpose. Ironically the B-21 is probably safest in the air. The greatest kinetic threat is on the ground because forward air bases gener…

It's hard to believe the B-21 would ever be stored at a forward missile base. They'd likely take off from the US, fly wherever they need to go for their mission without landing, and then fly all the way back to the US. Same as the B-2. Similarly it's unlikely a drone strike is an issue due to distance.

Believe it. Forward basing would be the only way to generate useful sortie rates in that type of conflict. Transiting even from Hickam just takes too long and requires too much tanker support. We're already short of tankers; they're wearing out and not being replaced quickly enough.

Re: The XB-70 (2019)

#134

Post by nradov »

ben7799 wrote: post #125
uticus wrote: post #124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It's hard to believe the B-21 would ever be stored at a forward missile base. Not a "missle base", but: "The B-52...is one of two currently at RAF Fairford in England as part of a routine Bomber Task Force (BTF) deployment." [0] Also, more pertinent to location in scope, US has been increasing forward-based capabilities in south pacific, for example [1]. [0] https://www.twz.com/air/b-52-flies-close-to-border-of-rus…

I should not have said "missile base". I just meant any kind of forward base outside the US. The B-52, etc.. is just different. It's not as high value of an asset as the B-2 or the B-21 will be and gets treated differently.

The Air Force already periodically deploys B-2's to forward bases within range of Chinese missile strikes.

https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/2...

Current plans are to purchase a relatively large number of B-21's. Some losses are expected and accepted.

Re: The XB-70 (2019)

#135

Post by wkat4242 »

6stringmerc wrote: post #66
CoastalCoder wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They have one at the Air Force museum in Dayton. I highly recommend visiting it for anyone interested in this stuff. It's an amazing museum, and it's totally free!

When I saw it, an SR-71 was parked under one of its wings. Talk about a stellar presentation of aviation engineering magnificence.

That's a YF-12, not SR-71 but indeed very similar

Re: The XB-70 (2019)

#136

Post by kubanczyk »

wanderingmoose wrote: post #31
ben7799 wrote: post #6

I have a love/hate relationship with this plane. In 2014 I got to visit the AF Museum in Dayton, OH. With all the exceptional exhibits there it is completely obvious the XB-70 is THE crown jewel in that museum. And it snowed while we were visiting and they shut down the hangar with the XB-70 because it required a shuttle ride. So now I still have on my bucket list to see it.

I have a love/hate relationship as well, mostly because I grew up within bicycling distance and spent way too much time at the museum. The XB-70 used to be parked outside right in front of the main entrance. The cool thing is they also have the X-3, which seems like the same design family so you can see the test article then the attempt at a usable aircraft. It was also the location of one of the most bonkers thing I…

Whoa. Aircraft carrier approaches, just without arresting wires.

Re: The XB-70 (2019)

#137

Post by holuxian »

CoastalCoder wrote: post #63
runjake wrote: post #4

As someone who once worked on B-52s, I find it amusing how many "successors" it has outlasted. And I know why, because I worked on many of those, too. It has taught me to be skeptical of unproven claims and promises, especially when someone is particularly passionate about them. Also that simplicity is king. Complexity is the enemy. I have great respect for the XB-70. It's the only strategic bomber I haven't worked o…

They have one at the Air Force museum in Dayton. I highly recommend visiting it for anyone interested in this stuff. It's an amazing museum, and it's totally free!

One of my favorite photo renderings of the XB-70: https://erik-simonsen.pixels.com/featured/xb-70-valkyrie-und...
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