The Airplane Thread

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by Llarry

... the development of new and smaller nuclear bombs, which allowed smaller aircraft to have nuclear capability.

The first "tactical" nuclear bomb was the Mark 7. It weighed a more reasonable 1,600 pounds and could be carried by a variety of Air Force, Marine and Navy fighters and bombers. It became operational in 1952 and was retired in 1967.

[Llarry]

Having introduced the U.S. Navy's contribution to the American strategic triad, let me briefly cover the U.S. Air Force's contribution


The triad consists of three components: Submarine-launched ballistic missiles, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) launched from the USA and USAF bombers that can launch nuclear-tipped missiles or drop thermonuclear bombs,

The ICBM portion totals about 400 LGM-30G Minuteman III silo-launched missiles from three states: Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming. The ICBMs carry one W87 or three smaller W78 warheads that can be independently targeted.

The bomber portion is dual-purpose (nuclear or conventional) and consists of 20 B-2A Spirit stealth bombers and 56 B-52H Stratofortress bombers. The Air Force's B-1B bombers no longer have a nuclear mission. As previously discussed in this thread, the B-2A (and B-1B) are scheduled to be replaced by a new B-21A stealth bomber, while the B-52Hs are to be re-engined and otherwise updated as B-52Js.

The B-2s have two rotary launchers that can carry up to 16 weapons -- either AGM-86 nuclear cruise missiles or nuclear bombs. The B-52s have a single rotary launcher for 8 similar internal weapons and can also carry 12 AGM-86s externally for a total of 20 weapons. The AGM-86 is older, and a new AGM-181 is under development to replace it. Likewise, the bombs are older and are scheduled to be replaced by the B61-12 guided nuclear bomb for greater precision.

EDIT: As previously posted -- and in accordance with arms limitation treaty -- not all B-52s are nuclear-capable. Those that are have an external distinguishing device on either side of the rear fuselage to allow other countries to track them. See last photo.

[Lady Jane]

Mike Patey does it again.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Mike Patey does it again.

Attachment 3529873

Built-in headwind. 🤣

[Lady Jane]

The Museum of Flight, Seattle, Washington.

[Llarry]

Despite the small size of the embarked squadron -- just five aircraft -- the airborne command and control squadron (VAW) of a U.S. Navy carrier air wing is a vital component -- the quarterback of the team in many situations.

These are E-2D Hawkeye aircraft of VAW-121. The crew complement is five: Two Naval Aviator pilots up front and three Naval Flight Officers sitting sideways at radar consoles in the "tube" in the back. The photo of the radar consoles is of an earlier E-2.

The refueling probe is a relatively new addition to the E-2D to allow extended time aloft via mid-air refueling.

The E-2 was first awarded a developmental contract by the Navy in 1957 and the initial E-2A model became operational in 1964. The E-2D remains in production, though production will end within a few years. Most VAW squadrons have converted to the E-2D. In addition, the French Navy is buying 3 E-2Ds for aircraft carrier use and Japan is in the midst of buying 18 E-2Ds. The Indian Navy has expressed interest but has not yet placed any order.

A number of nations use the older E-2C version. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, the Chinese People's Liberation Army is a big fan of the E-2, as their Xi'an KJ-600 carrier-based radar aircraft currently in test appears to be a copy of the American E-2, including the innovative wing folding system invented by Leroy Grumman in 1941.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_E-2_Hawkeye

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

The Museum of Flight, Seattle, Washington.


Attachment 3530897

That looks like my final during the rush!!

[Lady Jane]

Minot AFB.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Minot AFB.

Attachment 3531584

Sure would be fun to watch a B52 power-back!! Though, I'm not sure they can...

[flybigjet]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Minot AFB.

Attachment 3531584

Why not Minot?

Because it's freezing', that's the reason.

R.

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Sure would be fun to watch a B52 power-back!! Though, I'm not sure they can...

I don't know about power back, but they can do something no other plane can. I saw another video of a B-52 taking off in heavy crosswinds basically in the same configuration. Weird but impressive.

[vreihen16]

The port-side caster wheel reportedly took out 18 runway lights during this demonstration.....

[Llarry]

It would appear that U.S. taxpayers are finally getting their money's worth out of the large sums of cash (billions!) paid for the "new" Sikorsky VH-92A presidential helicopters flown by the Marines. After a very protracted process attributed to difficulties with the secure communications systems, the American president rode the VH-92A Marine One in Chicago yesterday. Hopefully this means the antique (but no doubt impeccably maintained) VH-3D Sea Kings can be retired at last.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by Llarry

After a very protracted process attributed to difficulties with the secure communications systems, the American president rode the VH-92A Marine One in Chicago yesterday.

Ironically, the first flight of the new Marine One helicopter carrying a president landed at Soldier Field.....

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Ironically, the first flight of the new Marine One helicopter carrying a president landed at Soldier Field.....

Maybe I've just never noticed it before, but the two Marines at the base of the entryway are packing sidearms. Those Marines are looked at with a fine-tooth comb for the assignment to HMX-1 and Marine One, but I am still surprised.

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by Llarry

Maybe I've just never noticed it before, but the two Marines at the base of the entryway are packing sidearms. Those Marines are looked at with a fine-tooth comb for the assignment to HMX-1 and Marine One, but I am still surprised.

Could be strictly ceremonial with empty mags. SOP in many countries, including Canada. When the Canadian military is tasked for VIP duties, they are not issued ammunition. (!) Only RCMP or Provosts.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by Llarry

Maybe I've just never noticed it before, but the two Marines at the base of the entryway are packing sidearms. Those Marines are looked at with a fine-tooth comb for the assignment to HMX-1 and Marine One, but I am still surprised.

My nephew requested that duty when he was in the Marines, but it is so exclusive that he had no chance of drawing that assignment. Instead, he did most of his tour watching the dolphins swim near the docks at one of Uncle Sam's Yacht Clubs.....

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

The port-side caster wheel reportedly took out 18 runway lights during this demonstration.....

The runway at SLC wasn't wide enough for 74's. When the mormon choir chartered one for their trips, we had to do an inspection of the runway edge lights because the outboard engines hung over them. They usually blew out a couple on departure.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

The runway at SLC wasn't wide enough for 74's. When the mormon choir chartered one for their trips, we had to do an inspection of the runway edge lights because the outboard engines hung over them.

<---- Is an expert in breakaway airport lights, and even has a NIB spare in our garage.....

[vreihen16]

Stupid question. When ATC gives a pilot a 4-digit (octal?) squawk code, where does that number come from? Is it generated by the ATC system, or just some random number that the controller pulls out of thin air?????

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Stupid question. When ATC gives a pilot a 4-digit (octal?) squawk code, where does that number come from? Is it generated by the ATC system, or just some random number that the controller pulls out of thin air?????

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transp...c%20separation.

https://blog.flightaware.com/201707-...-squawks-oh-my

[Llarry]

Grumman cat flight -- date unknown but perhaps 20 years ago.

In this photo:
-- F4F or FM Wildcat
-- F6F Hellcat
-- F7F Tigercat
-- F8F Bearcat
-- F9F Panther
-- F-14 Tomcat