Tragic B-2 Crash

On February 23rd, 2008, the Spirit of Kansas, 89-0127, crashed on the runway shortly after takeoff from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. This was the first ever crash of a B-2 bomber and one of the most costly aviation accidents ever (total loss was estimated at US$1.4 billion).

The good news is, the two officer crewmen survived after safely ejecting from the plane before it crashed. Also, there were no munitions on board.

Cause...

An investigation into the accident found out that heavy rains caused water to enter the plane's skin-flush air-data sensors, which distorted the angle of attack and yaw data the sensors were feeding the computerized flight-control system. As a result, the flight-control system, using false data, made the disastrous correction during the B-2 takeoff.

Impact...

Following the crash, a B-2 that was already flying was called down and the 19 other bombers were grounded until the initial investigation was complete.

Because the B-2 were grounded, 6 B-52s of the 96th Bomb Squadron, 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana were deployed.

Big or Small? (A380 vs 787)

Boeing and Airbus have been head-to-head in trying to dominate the commercial airliner market since 2001 (year Airbus SAS was established). Since then, both airliner manufacturers have pumped out thousands of planes and many new designs. The two most recent ones are the A380 "behemoth" from Airbus and the B787 Dreamliner "slick and fast" from Boeing. Both planes boast better fuel efficiency and lower operating costs but exactly which is better?

Airbus A380

• 49% more seating than the Boeing 747 and 4 times more than the Boeing 787
• Expensive ($280 million)
• More entertainment (bars and Jacuzzis)
• The larger area of the A380 is possibility for many airlines to incorporate shops, arcades, and restaurants to make travelling much more enjoyable
• Can be used to carry heavy cargo
• More people one trip = less fuel (more fuel used per trip but less trips)
• Very quiet

Boeing 787

• Fast and slick (means you get there faster)
• Cheap
• Less entertainment
• Airports do not have to redesign to accommodate the 787
• Lighter weight = less fuel (less fuel used per trip but more trips)
• Very quiet
• Pressurized for lower altitude and high humidity (sited from)

Specifications... (A380)

1. A380-800

• Cockpit Crew: 2
• Seating Capacity: 525 (3-class).
• 644 (2-class).
• 853 (1-class).
• Length: 73 m (239 ft. 6 in.).
• Span: 79.8 m (261 ft. 10 in.).
• Height: 24.1 m (79 ft. 1 in.).
• Wheelbase: 30.4 m (99 ft. 8 in.).
• Outside fuselage width: 7.14 m (23 ft. 6 in.).
• Cabin width, main deck: 6.60 m (21 ft. 8 in.).
• Cabin width, upper deck: 5.94 m (19 ft. 6 in.).
• Wing Area: 845 m2 (9 100 sq. ft.).
• Operating empty weight: 276 800 kg (610 200 lb.).
• Maximum take-off weight: 560 000 kg (1 235 000 lb.).
• Maximum Payload: 90 800 kg (200 000 lb.).
• Cruising Speed: Mach 0.85.
• Maximum Cruising Speed: Mach 0.89.
• Maximum Speed: Mach 0.96.
• Take-off Run at Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 2 750 m (9 020 ft.).
• Range at design load: 15 200 km (8 200 nmi.).
• Service Ceiling: 13 115 m (43 000 ft.).
• Maximum Fuel Capacity: 310 000 L (81 890 US Gal.).
• Engines (4x): GP7270 (A380-861).
• Trent 970/B (A380-841).
• Trent 972/B (A380-842).

2. A380-800F

• Cockpit Crew: 2
• Seating Capacity: 12 couriers
• Length: 73 m (239 ft 6 in)
• Span: 79.8 m (261 ft 10 in)
• Height: 24.1 m (79 ft 1 in)
• Wheelbase: 30.4 m (99 ft 8 in)
• Outside fuselage width: 7.14 m (23 ft 6 in)
• Cabin width, main deck: 6.60 m (21 ft 8 in)
• Cabin width, upper deck: 5.94 m (19 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 845 m² (9,100 sq ft)
• Operating empty weight: 252,200 kg (556,000 lb)
• Maximum take-off weight: 590,000 kg (1,300,000 lb)
• Maximum payload: 152,400 kg (336,000 lb)
• Cruising speed: Mach 0.85
• Maximum cruising speed: Mach 0.89
• Maximum speed: Mach 0.96
• Take off run at Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 2,900 m (9,510 ft)
• Range at design load: 10,400 km (5,600 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 13,115 m (43,000 ft)
• Maximum fuel capacity: 310,000 L (81,890 US gal),356,000 L (94,000 US gal) option
• Engines (4 x): GP7277 (A380-863F)Trent 977/B (A380-843F)

Source: http://www.airbus.com/en/aircraftfamilies/a380/a380/specifications.html.

Specifications... (787 Dreamliner)

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_787#Specifications

Model	787-3	787-8	787-9
Flight crew	Two
Passengers	290–330	210–250	250–290
Length	186 ft (57 m)		206 ft (63 m)
Wingspan	170 ft (52 m)	197 ft (60 m)	208 ft (63 m)
Wing sweepback	32.2°
Height	55 ft 6 in (16.92 m)
Fuselage height	19 ft 5 in (5.91 m)
Fuselage width	18 ft 11 in (5.75 m)
Cabin width	18 ft (5.49 m)
Cargo capacity	4,400 ft³ (124.6 m³) 28 LD3		5,400 ft³ (152.9 m³) 36 LD3
Empty weight	223,000 lb (101,151.1 kg)	242,000 lb (109,769.4 kg)	254,000 lb (115,212.5 kg)
Maximum takeoff weight	364,000 lb (165,107.6 kg)	484,000 lb (219,538.7 kg)	540,000 lb (244,939.9 kg)
Cruise speed	Mach 0.85 (903 km/h, 561 mph, 487 knots, at 40,000 ft/12.19 km)
Maximum cruise speed	Mach 0.89 (945 km/h, 587 mph, 510 knots, at 40,000 ft/12.19 km)
Range, fully loaded (not max payload)	2,500 – 3,050 NM (4,650 – 5,650 km)	7,650 – 8,200 NM (14,200 – 15,200 km)	8,000 – 8,500 NM (14,800 – 15,750 km)
Maximum fuel capacity	33,528 US gal (126,917 L)		36,693 US gal (138,898 L)
Service ceiling	43,000 ft (13.1 km)
Engines (2×)	General Electric GEnx or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000
Maximum thrust capability	53,000 lbf (235.8 kN)	64,000 lbf (284.7 kN)	70,000 lbf (311.4 kN)

Next Generation Bomber - NEW BOMBER FROM BOEING

Overview...

The NGB is a new medium bomber under development by the United States Air Force. It was originally projected to enter service in 2018 as a stealth, subsonic, medium range bomber that could replace the Air Force's present bomber fleet. With artist impressions making the plane look like something from Avatar, the NGB is going to be one high-tech plane.

"Postponement"...

On June 24, 2010, Lt. Gen. Philip Breedlove stated that the "Next Generation Bomber" was dead and that the air force was working on something more affordable.

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/07/airforce_long_range_071010w/

Then on September 13 of the same year, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said that the US military will remain committed to building a new long range bomber but will take cautious approach to prevent financial disasters from past programs. The Air Force secretary also said that the new bomber will focus more on conventional weapons than nuclear.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iLoYI0SqumrBY8dra1NEawYt4CRA

Design Goals...

The design goals of the NGB in September 2007 were:

http://www.defensedaily.com/VIP/dd/current.htm#A5

• Subsonic max speed
• Combat radius of 2 000+ miles
• Weapons load of 14 000-28 000 lb
• Ability to "survive in hostile air space for extended time"
• Ability to carry nuclear weapons
• Designed to use new propulsion, C4ISR, and radar technologies

In August 2008, a paper by Northrop Grumman highlighted the following trends and requirements

http://www.northropgrumman.com/analysis-center/images/pdf/The_2018_Bomber_the_case_for_accelerating_NGLRS.pdf

• Airfields available for American use have declined since the Cold War
• Hostile cruise missiles of aircraft could shut down existing airfields
• Fewer fighter aircraft will be available to escort bomber force
• Advanced fighter aircraft and surface to air missiles are being made available to potentially hostile states
• The current USAF bomber force is small and outdated

In June 2010, Gen. Breedlove said that the aircraft would carry a five ton Next Generation Penetrator Munition instead of the 15 ton Massive Ordnance Penetrator.

http://www.airforce-magazine.com/DRArchive/Pages/2010/June%202010/June%2025%202010/ASlimmerMOP.aspx

In summary...

The NGB is going to be a major improvement on the B-2. With increased range, greater range, and stealthier than ever, this is the future of the US bomber fleet (that is, if it ever gets off the drawing board).