B-2 crashes near Andersen in Guam

[Werner]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7260231.stm

US stealth bomber crashes on Guam
A US B-2 stealth bomber - one of the most expensive military aircraft in the world - has crashed at an air base on the Pacific island of Guam.

The United States Air Force (USAF) said both pilots had ejected safely before the plane came down at Andersen Air Force Base, shortly after take-off.

A spokeswoman said it was the first time a B-2 had crashed.

B-2 bombers, which can evade most radar signals, cost about $1.2bn (�610m) each to build.

They have a range of 6,000 nautical miles (11,112 km) without refuelling and have seen service in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.



Thick, black smoke could be seen coming from the wreckage following the crash.

Lieutenant Colonel Doug Smith from the USAF told the BBC that the crash would be investigated.

"The two pilots... ejected prior to the crash. One of them was medically evaluated and released and the other is in a stable condition at a naval hospital," he said.

Guam is a US territory 3,700 miles south-west of Hawaii. Its capital is Hagatna.

The equivalent of losing 2 Burkes, or possibly USS Kitty Hawk.

[Seasick]

Cold War Relic.

The USAF could build a bomber with a less agressive low observable design for a lot less. Its not a good bomber if you can only afford a few dozen of them. A bomber more like the B-52 could be built. Let cruise missiles penetrate enemy air space. Instead of building a stealth bomber, build a cruise missile that is low observable. Should have been obvious to the "Transformer".

[bb-56]

That would be the B1b. it carries everything the buff does with a tiny fraction of the radar signature.

[Werner]

Given the needs of modern weapons, a Boeing 737 would be a satisfactory bomber.

[Seasick]

The Boeing 767ER would be optimal. Long ranged and a fair amount of cargo weight.

[Timmy C]

A380, with the interior gutted and converted to a massive weapons cavern

[chuck]

The Hindenburg, with a load of modern weapons dangling beneath on the end of a string.

[Timmy C]

Well...close enough

[youngb]

Red Alert 2!

[Timmy C]

And Red Alert 3, too, apparently ^^

[Werner]

I want the H.M. ones, with Group Captain Angelina Jolie.

[Rick E Davis]

Guys,

By the time you build the "stand-off" weapons in the quantities NEEDED for your "Stand-off" Flying Bomb Trucks and the additional F-22's needed to protect them ... the cost will still be sky high. A penetrating platform (manned or unmanned) with precision weapons (mostly GPS, etc) and loiter time is more cost-effective, survivable, and you don't have as much worry about trying to recall (or detonating it) that cruise missile that you just sent off at the wrong target 15 minutes ago.

The B-2 was so expensive per aircraft because the very expensive development cost was spread over so few airframes. It didn't help that the contractor was Northrop.

BB-56,

If you think the B-1B is stealthy enough to do the job ... I have a bridge to sell. The fact is the USAF doesn't send either B-1's or B-52's into a high-medium-or-even in most cases a low threat area to drop bombs, precision or otherwise, anymore. The only advantage of the B-1 over the B-52 is speed.

[Werner]

Guys,

By the time you build the "stand-off" weapons in the quantities NEEDED for your "Stand-off" Flying Bomb Trucks and the additional F-22's needed to protect them ... the cost will still be sky high. A penetrating platform (manned or unmanned) with precision weapons (mostly GPS, etc) and loiter time is more cost-effective, survivable, and you don't have as much worry about trying to recall (or detonating it) that cruise missile that you just sent off at the wrong target 15 minutes ago.

The B-2 was so expensive per aircraft because the very expensive development cost was spread over so few airframes. It didn't help that the contractor was Northrop.

BB-56,

If you think the B-1B is stealthy enough to do the job ... I have a bridge to sell. The fact is the USAF doesn't send either B-1's or B-52's into a high-medium-or-even in most cases a low threat area to drop bombs, precision or otherwise, anymore. The only advantage of the B-1 over the B-52 is speed.

The DARPA's highest priority project right now is the development of a demonstrator aircraft, the production form of which would be able to deliver a B-52's payload to any spon on Earth within 90 minutes and return safely to base.

[Andy G]

DARPA's goal is - unnecessary. The US already has the capability to land a few thousand kilos on precise targets at multi-thousand kilometre ranges. Granted, it's a one-way trip.

Andy

[Cadman]

I'm hearing it was the "Spirit of Kansas" that went down. Can anyone confirm?

[Rick E Davis]

Tim,

Yes according to an USAF news release, the "Spirit of Kansas", tail number 890127 with 5,176 hours of flight time was the aircraft that crashed. The crew ejected with less than 100-ft. of altitude. The Spirit of Kansas experienced a fire and loss of power shortly after take-off. Cause is still being examined.

[Guest]

Tim,

Yes according to an USAF news release, the "Spirit of Kansas", tail number 890127 with 5,176 hours of flight time was the aircraft that crashed. The crew ejected with less than 100-ft. of altitude. The Spirit of Kansas experienced a fire and loss of power shortly after take-off. Cause is still being examined.

I heard they're having a difficult time locating the wreakage....

[Rick E Davis]

Oh it wasn't too hard ... just follow the skid marks. :-}

[chuck]

They couldn't find anything at the end of the skid mark. The smoke plume also seem to emanate from nothing. They are now trying to locate the wreckage by touch.