War by air: the hardware: from bombers to missiles, the U.S. military arsenal has major tools of battle targeted at Afghanistan.* B-52 STRATOFORTTRESS A long-range bomber with a crew of five, the B-52 is capable of dropping or launching a wider array of U.S. weapons than any other plane. It can carry up to 70,000 pounds of bombs, including up to 20 precision-guided cruise missiles. The B-52, which has been in use since 1954, can fly at 650 mph and at altitudes up to 50,000 feet--higher than commercial aircraft. Since the B52 can be refueled in flight, its range is virtually unlimited. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * B-1B LANCER With its crew of four, the B-1B is capable of flying intercontinental missions without needing to refuel re·fu·el v. re·fu·eled also re·fu·elled, re·fu·el·ing also re·fu·el·ling, re·fu·els also re·fu·els v.tr. To supply again with fuel. v.intr. . It's also one of the fastest bombers in the U.S. arsenal, able to hit speeds of more than 900 mph. It is equipped with a Global Positioning System Global Positioning System: see navigation satellite. Global Positioning System (GPS) Precise satellite-based navigation and location system originally developed for U.S. military use. , a satellite navigational tool that allows it to track enemies, steer precisely toward targets, and map terrain without ground communication. The B-1B holds several world records for speed, payload (1) Refers to the "actual data" in a packet or file minus all headers attached for transport and minus all descriptive meta-data. In a network packet, headers are appended to the payload for transport and then discarded at their destination. , and distance. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * B-2 SPIRIT The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is a multi-role stealth heavy bomber, capable of deploying both conventional and nuclear weapons. It is operated exclusively by the United States Air Force. Its development was a milestone in the modernization program of the U.S. Sleek and sly, the two-person B-2 is the world's most expensive aircraft, costing $2.2 billion each. Prepared to deliver high-explosive or nuclear munitions mu·ni·tion n. War materiel, especially weapons and ammunition. Often used in the plural. tr.v. mu·ni·tioned, mu·ni·tion·ing, mu·ni·tions To supply with munitions. at a moment's notice, the B-2 has massive firepower. It also has stealth features--technologies that make it less detectable by radar--which give it greater freedom to maneuver and attack in secret. But there have been problems with its radar-absorbing skin, which can be damaged by moisture and bad weather. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * C-17 GLOBEMASTER III The C-17, with a crew of three, is used to deliver material like bread, not bombs. It is a cargo and troop transport, able to carry a load of up to 170,000 pounds. On their first humanitarian aid Humanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity. missions in Afghanistan, two C-17's airdropped 37,500 food packets to displaced civilians. The C-17 is 174 feet long, but in spite of its bulk, can safely take off and land on relatively short, narrow runways, allowing for maximum flexibility. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * F/A-18 HORNET The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet is a modern all-weather carrier-capable strike fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. Designed in the 1970s for service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Launched from Navy carriers, the F/A-18 is an all-weather fighter and attack plane, used for air-to-ground strikes and reconnaissance, or spying missions. With wings that adjust for both high-and low-speed flight and offering night-vision capabilities, the F/A-18 can be adapted to a host of military strategies. This one- or two-person fighter is especially durable and can take a beating, capable of recovering quickly from hits by surface-to-air missiles This is a list of surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). Radar-guided SAMs
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * CRUISE MISSILES Cruise missiles are sophisticated flying bombs that can be fired from planes, ships, or submarines. The Tomahawk tomahawk [from an Algonquian dialect of Virginia], hatchet generally used by Native North Americans as a hand weapon and as a missile. The earliest tomahawks were made of stone, with one edge or two edges sharpened (sometimes the stone was globe shaped). cruise missile is especially powerful. Weighing 2,900 pounds, it flies at about 550 mph and can maneuver at extremely low altitude. It uses a sophisticated Global Positioning System to reach its target with extreme accuracy. It has become the weapon of choice for a Defense Department eager to minimize U.S. casualties. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] |
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