Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Visions of B-3A?

There are a few known knowns:
- We will have a new manned bomber.
- The USAF has decided to be smart and go with evolutionary vice revolutionary - and a short time line.
- Sub-sonic.

There are assumed knowns:
- Boeing will be a major player in the competition to design it.
- Cost will be a major driver.

Lookee what we have here:
This image provided by NASA shows Boeing's X-48B Blended Wing Body at Rogers Dry Lake October 24, 2006. The experimental jet that resembles a flying wing successfully flew for the first time in a program that could lead to more fuel-efficient, quieter and higher-capacity aircraft, NASA said Thursday July 26, 2007. The remotely controlled, 500-pound, three-engine jet with a 21-foot wingspan took off July 20, climbed to an altitude of 7,500 feet and landed about a half-hour later, NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center said.
I hear from that, "...long-range, relatively stealthy, high bomb load."

Though the final version of the B-3A is a known unknown - heck - modify, full scale it and go.

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