Article

2015-11-18 Science & Technology

Replacing the 'Boomers' with Boeing 747s?

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Posted by Skidmark 2015-11-18 00:00|| || Front Page|| [3 views ] Top

#1 Gods, not the 747 cruise missile carrier idea again. *facepalms* IIRC, I last saw this concept back in the carter administration, right after they canceled the B-1 bomber.

Nihil sub sole novum.

Posted by Nguard 2015-11-18 01:24|| 2015-11-18 01:24|| Front Page Top

#2 And yet we're still relying upon B-52s (whose airframes were built before the crews were born), to still do missions.

Posted by Procopius2k 2015-11-18 09:13|| 2015-11-18 09:13|| Front Page Top

#3 Can 74's also serve as a platform for Abrams tanks?

Posted by Vast Right Wing Conspiracy 2015-11-18 09:20|| 2015-11-18 09:20|| Front Page Top

#4 Not a bad idea for a quick and cheap supplement to existing platforms. Especially now that the missiles can be programmed on the fly.

I just don't want the bean counters in congress and the pentegon to start saying that this can replace all the bombers like they say about the F-35 replacing the A-10.

A Cruise missile carrier is an excellent supplement for a prestrike option prior to a large bombing campaign to take out air defenses. It isn't a replacement.

Posted by DarthVader 2015-11-18 10:48|| 2015-11-18 10:48|| Front Page Top

#5 New F-150s are lighter due to military-grade aluminum bodies. Lower fuel consumption and an alternative to the 747. Drink UP!

Posted by Frank G 2015-11-18 15:42|| 2015-11-18 15:42|| Front Page Top

#6 A replacement for the boomers? While the payload may be similar, an Ohio-class boat would seem to have the advantage when it comes to loiter time and stealth. Maybe one size doesn't fit all.

F-150s tricked out as autonomous hunter-killers with missiles and machine guns would be pretty cool.

Posted by SteveS 2015-11-18 16:46|| 2015-11-18 16:46|| Front Page Top

#7 I don't see any really good reason that amphibious F-150s couldn't replace the LCS on a one for one basis. 3 crew with one extra berth, 70 knots for 350 miles. ~ $95,000 in Pentagon motif.

Posted by Shipman 2015-11-18 18:18|| 2015-11-18 18:18|| Front Page Top

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