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Bombing missions are about destroying targets, not meeting some quota of explosives dropped. Precision bombs require far fewer units and a lower mass of explosi

Bombing missions are about destroying targets, not meeting some quota of explosives dropped. Precision bombs require far fewer units and a lower mass of explosives to destroy a target than dumb bombs.

Teever 3y ago
This is all true, but if your target still requires twice as many bombs of whatever technology than your aircraft can hold you will need to send two planes. I think we're talking past each other.
- cirrus3 3y ago
  You are also discarding the point about weight. The weight of the bomb is what matters to the plane, destructive power is what matters on the ground... something that took X kg of destructive power to destroy 20 years about may only take X/2 kg if it were more precise or effective in how it used that explosive "weight".
  - Teever 3y ago
    But you can put those more precise bombs in other aircraft. And if your target calls for twice as many bombs as a B-21 can carry, you're sending multiple B-21s or something else.
- cirrus3 3y ago
  I think you're talking past each other because you're assuming 100% of bombs are hitting their target and the other person is not. If you need 100kg of bombs for a mission but only 50% of them hit targets, then 50kg will work if you can assume 100% will hit target. That is why precision matters and coul reduce number of planes needed even if the same amount of kg is required. None of us are probably qualified to make assumptions here, but the basic idea is simple - higher precision Might offset the need for as many planes.
- giantrobot 3y ago
  We're not really. With modern targeting systems an unguided bomb like a Mk.82 has a precision (circular area probable, CEP) 30-50m in perfect conditions. The same Mk.82 with a JDAM kit attached has a CEP of around 4-5m. Just to be sure you hit a target with unguided bombs you need to drop several at once. Missing a building by 50m is the difference between hitting it or its parking lot. That same mission could be done with a single guided bomb because it's more likely than not going to hit exactly where it's aimed. In Iraq JDAMs were sometimes targeted at individual vehicles. A B-21 with fewer smart bombs has a higher likelihood of destroying all of its targets than a B-2 loaded with a larger number of dumb bombs. In terms of Nuclear Triad, having more airframes is more important than carrying more weapons. With a larger number of B-21s able to operate at more airfields they're a more credible threat than a small number of B-2s. In nuclear deterrence you want the other side to think "Damn, there could be bombers overhead right now waiting to nuke me if I push the button. Maybe I'll talk this out instead."
  - appplication 3y ago
    Per this example, the B2 isn’t being used in any real capacity, so it’s not really relevant to compare it, especially for conventional weapons. As of late 2010s, the B1 and drones did the preponderance of munitions drops in the Middle East, and just about all of those drops were using some form of guided munitions. I’m not even sure we use unguided in any real capacity. Source: was there, saw it. The exclusive purpose of the B2 is nuclear strike.

Teever 3y ago

This is all true, but if your target still requires twice as many bombs of whatever technology than your aircraft can hold you will need to send two planes. I think we're talking past each other.

cirrus3 3y ago
You are also discarding the point about weight. The weight of the bomb is what matters to the plane, destructive power is what matters on the ground... something that took X kg of destructive power to destroy 20 years about may only take X/2 kg if it were more precise or effective in how it used that explosive "weight".
- Teever 3y ago
  But you can put those more precise bombs in other aircraft. And if your target calls for twice as many bombs as a B-21 can carry, you're sending multiple B-21s or something else.
cirrus3 3y ago
I think you're talking past each other because you're assuming 100% of bombs are hitting their target and the other person is not. If you need 100kg of bombs for a mission but only 50% of them hit targets, then 50kg will work if you can assume 100% will hit target. That is why precision matters and coul reduce number of planes needed even if the same amount of kg is required. None of us are probably qualified to make assumptions here, but the basic idea is simple - higher precision Might offset the need for as many planes.
giantrobot 3y ago
We're not really. With modern targeting systems an unguided bomb like a Mk.82 has a precision (circular area probable, CEP) 30-50m in perfect conditions. The same Mk.82 with a JDAM kit attached has a CEP of around 4-5m. Just to be sure you hit a target with unguided bombs you need to drop several at once. Missing a building by 50m is the difference between hitting it or its parking lot. That same mission could be done with a single guided bomb because it's more likely than not going to hit exactly where it's aimed. In Iraq JDAMs were sometimes targeted at individual vehicles. A B-21 with fewer smart bombs has a higher likelihood of destroying all of its targets than a B-2 loaded with a larger number of dumb bombs. In terms of Nuclear Triad, having more airframes is more important than carrying more weapons. With a larger number of B-21s able to operate at more airfields they're a more credible threat than a small number of B-2s. In nuclear deterrence you want the other side to think "Damn, there could be bombers overhead right now waiting to nuke me if I push the button. Maybe I'll talk this out instead."
- appplication 3y ago
  Per this example, the B2 isn’t being used in any real capacity, so it’s not really relevant to compare it, especially for conventional weapons. As of late 2010s, the B1 and drones did the preponderance of munitions drops in the Middle East, and just about all of those drops were using some form of guided munitions. I’m not even sure we use unguided in any real capacity. Source: was there, saw it. The exclusive purpose of the B2 is nuclear strike.