B2 Attack

Would it be possable to load a B2 bomber full of Amraams have it CAP a area and get it's targetting information from a AWACS or E3. Then fire the missiles from blind.

The other side would have no idea and the AWAC's could be hundreds or miles away, with the AMRAAM the B2 could be very hard to detect and also be a good distance away from the danger zone.

Originally posted by RAB
Would it be possable to load a B2 bomber full of Amraams have it CAP a area and get it's targetting information from a AWACS or E3. Then fire the missiles from blind.

The other side would have no idea and the AWAC's could be hundreds or miles away, with the AMRAAM the B2 could be very hard to detect and also be a good distance away from the danger zone.

First of all, an AWACS and an E-3 are the same thing! Second, the B-2 is a bomber. It weapon system computers aren't design to carry AMRAAM's. Third, B-2 crews aren't trained to use AMRAAM's. Sorry to say it, but you are trying to put a square peg in a round hole!

Tim
ATS Director of Counter-Ignorance

Even if it could be upgraded to launch AA missles it would be to dangerous a mission for a 1.1 billion dollar aircraft. It would be easy prey for a fighter if detected.

I will need a new bay and a new targetting system.

It's more practical to load it up with JDAMs and just bomb the crap out of planes before they take off

Hmm, maybe not with AMRAAMS, but a long range misilles such as phoenix would be good idea. B2 has a lot of space in it's bomb bay. Also B1B could be used - it has huge range, adequate speed, only 1m RCS, so B1 with 48 PHoenix (or never long range AA misilles) could be nice surprise for enemy..

Wouldn't it be cheaper and less riskier to use the F/A-22's for that job?

Originally posted by Xar Ke Zeth
Wouldn't it be cheaper and less riskier to use the F/A-22's for that job?

No - thats not what it was designed to do!

Originally posted by American Mad Man

Originally posted by Xar Ke Zeth
Wouldn't it be cheaper and less riskier to use the F/A-22's for that job?

No - thats not what it was designed to do!

Touche.

hmm...

I'm not fond of spreading rumors or half baked ideas without solid factual backup.....however, I have heard of RC-135 RavenShield (or variant thereof) aircraft having been test fitted with several-many AAMRAMs and coupled with several APG-63v2 type radar packages for CAP targeting....can't confirm it or anything...however the source was an actual Electronic Warfare technician from the RC-135s......