THE VALUE OF LONG-RANGE STRIKE IBD

Sinopsi

'The 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review Report (QDR) directed the Air Force (AF) to 'develop a new land-based, penetrating long-range strike [LRS] capability to be fielded by 2018.' To meet this directive, the AF began a capabilities-based planning effort that is primarily ahistoric. The paper presented here uses case studies of the B-52 and B-1 to suggest attributes the next generation LRS should incorporate. Although the military is often accused of fighting the last war, the USAF should not ignore lessons from the past. Historical reflection often helps identify trends. This knowledge, combined with capabilities based planning, offers the best guide for future aircraft design. The best source for LRS historical trend analysis comes from the B-52 and the B1. The B-52 is over fifty years old and the B-1 over twenty years old. Although designed for a very different threat, both bombers have played a significant role in the Global War on Terrorism. Additionally, both have been considered for retirement during their service, yet today the Chief of Staff of the Air Force considers them so useful that he 'flew the wings off them.' Identifying why the bomber force has adapted so well should provide valuable lessons to incorporate into the next generation LRS design. The study examines six operations spanning 1945-2007 for historical lessons. This period of time covers nuclear concerns of the Cold War, major combat operations in Vietnam, as well as operations such as Desert Storm, which some experts claim represented a revolution in military affairs. Amazingly, both bombers have been incredibly useful in every conflict studied. The analysis of the B-52 and B-1 case studies reveals eight common core attributes: 1) all-weather, 2) flexible weapons carriage, 3) heavy gross weight, 4) heavy payload, 5) high-altitude, 6) high-speed, 7) long-range, and 8) survivability. These appear critical in the overall success and useful capabilities the bombers provided to combaThis work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and