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It's combat debut was during the Kosovo War, which was clearly _not_ people who are literally living in caves, during which the F-117 suffered its only combat l
by gsnedders 7y ago
It's combat debut was during the Kosovo War, which was clearly _not_ people who are literally living in caves, during which the F-117 suffered its only combat loss, shot down by anti-aircraft missiles, successfully tracked by the radar.
- thedance 7y agoOK, but what's it good for today? Kosovo was 20 years ago. If the B-2's role is to fly conventional missions, the MQ-9 can be armed with the same weapons that the B-2 carries.
- openasocket 7y agoGetting inside an integrated air defense network to take out strategic targets. It's got what is believed to be a better stealth profile than the f-22 or f-35, while having payload comparable to a b-52. The MQ-9 wouldn't be able to get anywhere close to an air defense network.
- thedance 7y agoOK I'm convinced. What's the 52 for, then?
- openasocket 7y agoLarge scale strikes also, but after air defenses have been taken down, or suppressed by SEAD escorts. Keep in mind we only have 21 B-2s and they are very expensive to maintain, so it makes sense to use the B-52 whenever possible.