America's Next Bomber: Unmanned, Unlimited Range, Aimed At China 400
An anonymous reader writes "The U.S. military is developing its next generation bomber with Chinese anti-access strategy — the ability to stop any enemy force from coming to fight with things like carrier killer missiles — in mind. The new bomber will replace older platforms like the 1950's B-52, the 1970's B-1, and 1990's B-2 stealth bomber. The new bomber will sport some unique qualities. It will have an option to be unmanned, will act similar to a UAV, have better stealth capabilities, will be connected to U.S. intelligence networks to create a 'smart' battlefield environment, and have near unlimited range thanks to in-air refueling."
And once it's connected to US military networks... (Score:5, Funny)
It will also be a great way to take out some hacker's ex-girlfriend's house in Nevada. Damn bitch left him for a cop.
near unlimited range thanks to in-air refueling (Score:5, Funny)
Just like the B52...
I wonder how easy it would be to turn a B52 into a UAV? I mean, they can still send Slim Pickens along to get the bombs un-stuck, but otherwise unmanned.
Holy Flamebait Summary (Score:5, Funny)
Who the hell lets this shit through? The new bomber is designed to counter new strategies. That doesn't mean it's "aimed at China". That's a needlessly belligerent phrase -- either warmongering or scaremongering over the prospects of war. If England develops bullets that can pierce American body armor, will we hear about new "British Guns Aimed at America!"?
Sorry chickenhawks, but America and China won't go to war. Our economies are far too interdependent.
Re:Holy Flamebait Summary (Score:5, Funny)
Maybe it's a typo and it's supposed to say 'made in China'.
Re:Holy Flamebait Summary (Score:4, Funny)
Well, it *will* be aimed at China. It will also be aimed at North Korea, Iran, Russia, really any place that a) still has buildings to blow up and b) once looked at us funny.
Re:Holy Flamebait Summary (Score:4, Funny)
Or possibly, given the size of the national debt, 'Paid by China'.
It can be even cheaper (Score:4, Funny)
Next-Generation Bomber: just $550 million per copy for up to 100 copies, with production beginning in the early 2020s.
At these dollar amounts, it's cheaper to purchase one bomber, then make 99 copies yourself and just pay the fine for copyright infringement.
Re:Hold on a second... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Not possible, Ace. (Score:5, Funny)
Rome wasn't burnt in a day, either.
True but, as communication technology has improved the rise and fall of empires has speeded up considerably. The Roman empire took several centuries to collapse, the British empire took a few decades. If that trend carries on one day you may wake up to the new Slashdotian empire in the morning, watch it grow over lunchtime and it will have collapsed and disappeared in time for tea.
Re:Not possible, Ace. (Score:5, Funny)
In terms of underwear bombs, the United States is so huge that while a proliferation of bombs would of course radically change life in the country, they would not destroy it.
A war on underwear would result in the entire country going commando.
Re:Not possible, Ace. (Score:5, Funny)
In terms of underwear bombs, the United States is so huge that while a proliferation of bombs would of course radically change life in the country, they would not destroy it.
A war on underwear would result in the entire country going commando.
Yes, but imagine the effort it would take to debrief an entire country
Re:Not possible, Ace. (Score:4, Funny)
If that trend carries on one day you may wake up to the new Slashdotian empire in the morning, watch it grow over lunchtime and it will have collapsed and disappeared in time for tea.
I, for one, welcome our 1-day long Slashdotian Empire overlords