Originally posted by: AndrewR
NOE flying is probably never going to be used for the vast majority of US aircraft unless doing CAS missions in close proximity to US forces. Fact of the matter is that low altitude is too unpredictable for threats, particularly AAA, and even the mighty A-10 is susceptible to being torn to pieces if flying low and slow. Nevertheless, implying that the B-1 is past its prime is ignoring its most recent successes, lauded even by fighter jocks, in Afghanistan and Iraq. Using satellite aided munitions, one B-1 can attack from 24 to 84 separate targets in one sortie with 2,000 to 500lb bombs. Its legs give it a much wider choice of airfields from which to operate and allows it the flexibility to minimize aerial refueling while maintaining extended loiter. How many A-10s or F/A-18s would it take to accomplish the same mission parameters? Even more importantly, how many additional support aircraft are required to accomplish the same mission, from AR to electronic protection because fighter aircraft are less able to conduct electronic warfare?
