Air Force ISR Chief Calls New Bomber Top Priority

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11319

Does this mean there is a B-3 in our future?

Quote:

Air Force ISR Chief Calls New Bomber Top Priority
Defense Daily 12/03/2009
Author: Marina Malenic

The Air Force's top intelligence official said yesterday that development of a new multi-role bomber platform is his top purchasing priority.

"We cannot move into a future without a platform that allows the United States of America to project power long distances and to meet advanced threats in a fashion that gives us an advantage that no other nation has," said Lt. Gen. David Deptula, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. "We can't walk away from that capability."

Deptula was speaking at a breakfast meeting sponsored by the Air Force Association.

The general added that the new bomber, unlike the legacy systems it is expected to replace, will have to provide multiple capabilities.

"It's a long-range, ISR-strike platform," he said. "Because no longer are we going to build single-capability platforms."

The Pentagon's top arms buyer, Ashton Carter, said in October that the new airplane will have to be both a bomber and a reconnaissance platform.

"There are things that can do both," Carter said at the time, adding that officials are examining the "full menu" of options.

Defense Secretary Gates in September endorsed efforts to develop a new long-range strike platform, addressing the issue for the first time since asking the Air Force to go back to the drawing board on its next-generation bomber plans in April.

Deptula said modern military aircraft must provide a package of various capabilities.

"If I was king for a day, I'd get rid of these traditional, industrial-age labels," he said. For example, he added, fifth-generation fighter aircraft such as the F-22 and F-35 are "flying sensor platforms that also have the capability to deliver ordnance."

"In the long-range arena, we need to do that as well," he added.

Asked what kind of programmatic trade-offs the Air Force would be willing to offer in order to finance a new bomber, Deptula suggested a holistic reexamination of Pentagon priorities.

"Perhaps we need to do a review across the entire Department of Defense, in terms of what are the core functions that each of the services perform and...reduce any excessive overlap," he said.

He added that "it's no surprise to anyone that recapitalization of our geriatric Air Force is a huge priority."

Ztex · **Posted:** Thu Dec 03, 2009 12:25 pm

I would love to see a new bomber! B-3?

Quote:

"Perhaps we need to do a review across the entire Department of Defense, in terms of what are the core functions that each of the services perform and...reduce any excessive overlap," he said.

Haw Haw Haw! Good luck with that one General....

The Inspector · **Posted:** Thu Dec 03, 2009 1:30 pm

OK by me- but how about this time we make it a good sized UCAV? A perfect opportunity to see if Boeings span lifter concept works in large scale. No crew, no crew in danger issues, no need to provide life support/ejection equipment. Easily flown from a comfortable chair in a room somewhere much removed from peril. lighter, more economical, no need for building the thing like a locomotive.

Perhaps make more than one model, a reusable lifter and a single purpose basically throwaway, capable of shedding its wings, really big JDAM? (call it the G**AM!!)

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:16 am

were using multi billions in big $$$ aerial weapon systems against plain archaic camels, donkey's etc. the ground pounders need the money / resupply / new technology for road side bombs, urban warfare, etc. we've been fighting 2 countries for 8 years against no efficient /affective air power of any sort. we've practically painted ourselves into a corner in terms of now redundant weaponry that squeezed dry the russians 20 years ago. that cluster!@#$%^*operation left the soviets with cheap vodka & the toppling of the berlin wall, & their vershtunk economy, which is still being felt today some 20 years later. the berlin wall was 1 of the greatest gains for freedom, but the russians are still paying for afghanistan to this day. obama's plan while ambitious is a bet i wouldn't take on a rhoulette wheel. the uav technology is new, innovative, ever expanding tech wise, & basically friendly casualty free.

marine air · **Posted:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 9:59 pm

My guess what he is talking about is a platform that could go on station not for hours but for days or even weeks. Pilotless, with air refueling capability. Something that could gather its own reconaissance over the battlefield, and with a myriad of weapons, mostly smart laser guided stuff that is directed by guys with computers on the ground.
When I used to fly Learjets the highest I ever went was FL450 (indicated, 46,600' ASL) but the airplane was wanting to go higher and had plenty of thrust. It was limited by pressurization for the pilots. Some civvy aircraft are certificated to 51,000 but even then they are limited to the engine design(chance of flameouts) and pressurization needs.
We were at FL450 once and saw something near Moody AFB that was about 15,000 feet above us. Fuel efficiency and groundspeeds are incredible at high altitudes. The possibilities with an unmanned bomber are incredible.

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Air Force ISR Chief Calls New Bomber Top Priority

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