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From: cfiaime@ihnp4.UUCP (Jeff Williams)
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: Re: More on B-1 vs B-52
Message-ID: <665@ihnp4.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 17-Oct-84 09:38:32 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihnp4.665
Posted: Wed Oct 17 09:38:32 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 18-Oct-84 19:27:21 EDT
References: <3220@rabbit.UUCP>, <2190@hplabsc.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 23

Of course, we are all aware of the B-52G that had a wing collapse
while on the ramp several years ago.  While working at Boeing Military
Aircraft Company (Boeing Wichita), we were constantly bombarded (no pun)
with B-52 improvement plans and ideas.  These ranged from a B-52Q proposal
which hung four engines from a 747 on the airframe, to reskinning jobs,
to new offensive avionics.

After all is said and done, the B-52 is still an OLD airplane.  It may
have a new radio, new paint, newer engines, and patched skin, but it
still is getting quite old.  There are cases of grandchildren of the 
original B-52 pilots now flying the same airplane as granddad did.
Considering the mission of the machine, considering the problems in 
upkeep, and considering kludging on new systems on top of old, it is
about time that this weapon system be honorably retired.

Now, about the KC-135...as a less complicated airplane, and several
generations removed from the B-52 as far as technology is concerned,
this airplane can stand to be rebuilt and updated as in the KC-135E and
KC-135R models.

					Jeff Williams
					AT&T Bell Laboratories
					ihnp4!cfiaime