What would happen if the Soviets managed to capture and reverse-engineer a B-52?
What would happen if the Soviets managed to capture and reverse-engineer a B-52?
Tu-95 is a turboprop. B-52 is a jet. Of course a Vietnam-era B-52 would still be a 50's era design, with some 60's tech.They already have the Tu-95, which is roughly equipment. They might get a bit of knowledge about specific American equipment, the vast majority of which will be outdated in a few years' time.
They already have the Tu-95, which is roughly equipment. They might get a bit of knowledge about specific American equipment, the vast majority of which will be outdated in a few years' time.
Tu-95 is a turboprop.
Tu-95 is a turboprop. B-52 is a jet. Of course a Vietnam-era B-52 would still be a 50's era design, with some 60's tech.
(Trivia: The Tu-95 was one of the few Soviet aircraft whose NATO reporting name was used in Russia. Pilots said, "It couldn't be anything but a Bear."
Buffalo.Laying the pointlessness of the exercise aside, I can imagine Mikhail Gantov, a semi-psychotic English-speaking Georgian ace bomber pilot being approached by agents of the GRU suggesting that if he wants his puppy dog to live, he will infiltrate Edwards AFB, and steal a B-52.
The next big question burning in my mind is...What is the NATO reporting name for this new B-52 clone?
Backstab
Beeblebrox
Boxstore.........
Buffalo.
Would HAVE to be.
What the B-52 has that the Bear never did is/was a true non nuclear mission. This is more a matter of national tactical thought than anything to do with the aircraft themselves. The Bear could loft 33,000 pound of bombs, but it was never really even considered to fill a tactical role like the one the USAF has slotted the B-52 into so nicely.
Buffalo.
Would HAVE to be.
Just a brief correction the Bear did have non-nuclear missions. variants were used for maritime recon and strike, as well as ASW.
And? It's engines are still more than capable.
The Bear is a very capable aircraft. Fastest propeller speed ever recorded was an airliner version of the Bear (more properly the Tu-114). The B-52 is less than 100 mph faster, a speed that is of little difference when flying a sub-sonic bomber against Mach 2.5 interceptors and Mach 3 SAM.
What the B-52 has that the Bear never did is/was a true non nuclear mission. This is more a matter of national tactical thought than anything to do with the aircraft themselves. The Bear could loft 33,000 pound of bombs, but it was never really even considered to fill a tactical role like the one the USAF has slotted the B-52 into so nicely.