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As demand increases to find innovative ways to support mission requirements in a resource-constrained environment, Air Force Global Strike Command is looking to enhance its warfighting capabilities from within.
As the nation’s long-range strike force provider, the command is currently working to improve capabilities available to combatant commanders around the globe by incorporating off-the-shelf technology into its strategic bombers.
Recently, AFGSC’s Bomber Requirements Division led a successful demonstration of the AN/ASQ-236 “Dragon’s Eye,” a podded active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, on a B-52 Stratofortress. Originally fielded for operational use on the F-15E Strike Eagle in 2009, Dragon’s Eye was developed to provide aircrew with the ability to geo-locate points of interest, and conduct surveillance activities day or night, in adverse weather conditions.
“The Dragon’s Eye enhances the B-52’s ability to operate in both contested environments and adverse weather conditions,” Maj. Brett Plummer, AFGSC B-52 Requirements Branch chief, said. “The radar’s high resolution mapping enables target detection, tracking and subsequent engagement in situations where our existing electro-optical targeting pods cannot.”
originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: Signals
GE has put forward a proposal that would add almost no strain on the aircraft, which is the big reason they haven't yet. When they did the modeling for it, the bigger engines chopped something like a third off the fatigue life of the wings. The GE proposal though is for a 1-1 replacement, using engines that are about a thousand pounds lighter dry weight, add about a thousand pounds in thrust, and have about a significant fuel burn improvement.
originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: Anyafaj
The current plan has them flying until something like 2040. They're going to be almost 100 years old when they're retired.
originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: Anyafaj
The current plan has them flying until something like 2040. They're going to be almost 100 years old when they're retired.