B-1B upgraded to include air to air capability

[chopper2004]

US Air Force plans to upgrade the B-1B aircraft in the Fighter/Interceptors - DFNS.net Air (http://air.dfns.net/2015/04/09/us-air-force-plans-to-upgrade-the-b-1b-aircraft-in-the-fighterinterceptors/)

Looks like Dale Brown novels where hes talked about the Bone as an interceptor in a few of his plots armed with AMRAAMS :)

cheers


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/20100831161134_zpsc0yaqpbm.png

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/221252z6pjnh4lpl9upy59_zps1zkejkgl.jpg

[Buster Hyman]

Sorry, but is that a vee tail arrangement there?

[garyscott]

Looks like the "what ifs" of flight simulator/strike fighters fame,

http://www.technologijos.lt/upload/image/n/technologijos/karyba/S-45668/nuotrauka-82494/1-07.jpg

Does that mean JASDF airshow 2025??

http://www.mechadamashii.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/vf1j_fighter.jpg

A-10 jocks not too happy about the new flight suits though . . .

http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/2/25716/2098907-mecha_musume__usna_a_10a_by_vjptox_d31v51y.jpg

[ORAC]

The design change between the B-1A and B-1B eliminated the variable intakes necessary for speed in excess of M1.3, as well as allowing less expensive alloys, it also eliminated the crew ejection capsule necessary for crew survival in an emergency. None of these are retrofittable. Sounds like a schoolboys pipe dream.

[Jollygreengiant64]

The "Missile Truck" concept has been floated about before. The Bone hangs back and launches AMRAAMs and whatnot under the guidance of the fighters in the dogfight.

[Hempy]

Probably cheaper than an F-35...

[Lordflasheart]

The Japanese Defence Ministry recently initiated a 'quick/superficial' study by KHI for a 'missileer' – See AWST May 11 - 24 P32. Study may already have been completed.

Article suggests a platform size similar to the Kawasaki P-1 with long range (100km +) AAMs, an ability to use own AEW/targeting radars and launch from loiter speed. In service mid 2030s.

[Lonewolf_50]

Probably cheaper than an F-35... Someone stole my thunder there. :D

An interesting approach to air superiority.

[MAINJAFAD]

Back in the early 1990's I bought this book to assist in building a model of a B-52G out of the old Monagram B-52D kit as most of the technical illustrations in it were taken from Boeing or USAF technical publications.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51PlLl0r8UL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Some of the illustrations in the book showed a proposed self defence penetration fit using mostly off the shelf items with the Nav-Attack Radar being replaced with the radar out of the F/A-18, AIM-120 AMRAAM on the wing plyons, plus the data link system for them. A modified rotary launcher in the aft bomb bay carrying AGM-88 HARM and AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow and an air search radar in the tail replacing the gun control radar which would support both the operation of the AIM-120 and act as fire control for a launcher in the tail capable of lobbing out a FIM-92 Stinger IR SAM. The offensive payload was a couple of B-83 H-bombs. I lost the book years ago, hence I can't remember if it was a Boeing proposal or a USAF Study and when the study was done (i.e. did Dale Brown nick the idea off them or vice versa), though the book itself dates from 1990.