B-2 Bombers Arrive in the UK

[rnatalli]

They may have been around for a while, but still cool looking planes:

http://rt.com/news/164688-b2-<wbr>bombers-deployed-europe/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?<wbr>v=Flo8w1xQKIg

 

[macddmac]

Shorter flight time to both Ukraine and Iraq from there.

 

[j_garcia]

I've seen one once at the local airbase for an airshow. They also had an F117 do a supersonic fly by and then a slow "picture" pass as well. I used to work about 3 blocks from the airbase and the only thing that ever really scared me one day when it came in for a landing was A B-1B. LOUD.

 

[its phillip]

B-2s are cool.

I've seen one once at the local airbase for an airshow. They also had an F117 do a supersonic fly by and then a slow "picture" pass as well. I used to work about 3 blocks from the airbase and the only thing that ever really scared me one day when it came in for a landing was A B-1B. LOUD.

You sure it was an F117? Those shouldn't be capable of supersonic flight. While I've never seen an F117 flying in person, I did get to see plenty of other cool aircraft growing up. Spent 10.5 years of my childhood on Kadena AFB and then Yokota AFB. Younger times were spent on other AFBs but I don't have any memory of those days

And yes the B-1 is awesome as well.

 

[j_garcia]

I'm sure it was a F117, but perhaps not supersonic; a "fast" flyby and then the slow one.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I'm sure it was a F117, but perhaps not supersonic; a "fast" flyby and then the slow one.

Well, if it was supersonic you should have heard the sonic boom?

 

[rnatalli]

I've seen an F-117 before, but never the B-2. The F-117 is bigger than I thought. I was also surprised at the size of the F-16 which looked like a toy which it certainly is not.

 

[j_garcia]

Well, if it was supersonic you should have heard the sonic boom?

I don't recall if it did, but I kind of doubt it since there is basically a residential area across the freeway from the airbase.

Found this about it as well:

The F-117A is a single-seat low-observable strike fighter. It is powered by two non-afterburning General Electric F404-GE-F1D2 engines, each capable of delivering 10,800 pounds of thrust. The F-117A's maximum speed is Mach 1. The Nighthawk's combat range is 750 miles unrefueled with a 5,000 pound weapons payload. The stealth fighter can carry up to 5,500 pounds of munitions, including BLU-109 low-level or GBU10/GBU27 medium laser guided bombs. It also has provisions for 2 AIM-9-L air-to-air missiles.

 

[its phillip]

I did some more digging and it does appear that the F117 can hit mach 1, but only at 36,000 ft+. Still a cool plane

 

[3db]

I don't recall if it did, but I kind of doubt it since there is basically a residential area across the freeway from the airbase.

Found this about it as well:

Mach 1 with or without ordinance? I'm surprised that its rated for Mach1 as it has the aerodynamics of a brick

 

[3db]

The B2 reminds me of the flying wing jet prototypes the Germans were working on towards the end of the war.

 

[GO-NAD!]

I've seen one once at the local airbase for an airshow. They also had an F117 do a supersonic fly by and then a slow "picture" pass as well. I used to work about 3 blocks from the airbase and the only thing that ever really scared me one day when it came in for a landing was A B-1B. LOUD.

I was at an airshow a few years ago, where a B-1 did a low pass - and set off a $hitload of car alarms in the parking lot. I read about a huge firefight in Afghanistan between Canadian troops and the Taliban. The Canadians were in a precarious situation and a B-1 that happened to be in the area - it wasn't carrying any ordinance at this point - helped out by doing a full throttle flyover of the battle. It so disorientated the Taliban, that our boys were able to take advantage and press home their attack.

 

[Adam]

Mach 1 with or without ordinance?

It carries those internally, so it shouldn't affect aerodynamics. At least, according to my bible...Wikipedia.

...our boys were able to take advantage and press home their attack.

Good to know. I may try a noise distraction if I ever again get pinned down in the infamous "Nor'easter." Going for a yellow circle in between Doug and Alex is not a mistake that I intend to make again, though.

 

[lsiberian]

Seeing an F-35 flying around town is pretty cool. I'm glad they are on my side.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I don't recall if it did, but I kind of doubt it since there is basically a residential area across the freeway from the airbase.

Found this about it as well:

No afterburner most likely it is in a dive when it hits supersonic flight.