| Myth |
Reality |
| The Pentagon wants more B-2 Bombers. |
Since 1992, the Pentagon has not requested
additional funds for more B-2 bombers. The Air
Force has already bought 21 B-2 bombers and
has publicly stated that buying more B-2's is not
a priority. |
| Foul weather such as rain, snow, and ice will
not hinder the B-2 Bomber's performance. |
Testing on the B-2 revealed that the bomber was
sensitive to extreme climates and moisture
which could cause damage to the "stealth"
surfaces on the aircraft. Exposure to water, or
moisture that causes water to accumulate in
aircraft compartments, ducts, and valves can
cause system malfunction. If accumulated water
freezes it can take up to 24 hours to thaw.(1) |
| The $2 Billion per copy B-2 Bomber can fly
extended missions with little maintenance. |
The B-2 requires 119 man-hours of maintenance
for every flight hour -- about a third of which is
dedicated to fixing "stealth" problems. The Air
Force requirement is 56 hours of maintenance
for every flight hour.(2) |
| The B-2 can operate effectively from foreign
military bases. |
The Air Force has concluded that it could not
effectively deploy B-2's to foreign bases without
buying special shelters to protect the B-2's
sensitive "stealthy" outer materials.(3) These
shelters will add significant expense to a
program already costing $45 Billion. |
| America needs more B-2 Bombers to enhance
its bomber fleet for the 21st Century. |
We have 94 B-52 bombers which can carry more
bombs and missiles further than the B-2 can.
We have 95 B-1B bombers which can carry
more bombs faster and just as far as the B-2.
These planes will remain combat ready for
another 40 years. That provides a total of 189
perfectly good bombers to meet the Pentagon's
stated requirement for 187 long range bombers
in the 21st Century without any B-2's at all. |
