New Nuclear Window Curtains For The B-52

Strategy Page Daily ^ | 12/16/08

[pabianice]

Why now? What does the government know that we don't? Iran? Islamonazis? Obama's "Department of Peace and Love?"

[jagusafr]

Nothing new. It’s just a part of the “taking back the nuclear enterprise” gig that’s also resulting in the standup of Global Strike Command. A little like spring cleaning or fixing up your dad’s (or in this case, your granddad’s) old Chevy truck with some nice new seat covers.

Colonel, USAFR

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Nuclear combat, toe to toe, with the Rooskies...

[babble-on]

LOVE SHACK,
BABY LOVE SHACK!

[Pistolshot]

Nothing sinister about it, just a little news article to say some things that are Cold War vintage are being replaced with modern, up to date gear.

No implications at all about prepardeness.

Honest.

[GreyFriar]

Funny, with Nobama’s desire to unilaterally disarm the US of nuclear weapons, I’m expecting another type of “curtains” for the B-52.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Interesting though that nuke warfare is being discussed (disgusted) more today as an active possibility than under Bush’s rule.

[A.A. Cunningham]

"We don't know where the nukes are but how about those new drapes."

[paddles]

Pansies. All we got was an eye patch to wear so that after the detonation we’d have one eye left to get home.

[AngryJawa]

Maybe it's just me, but if we were to find the need to slip someone a little nuclear medicine I really don't think the BUFF would be the first, second, or fifth best choice in delivery method.

Still, it amazes me that this ancient airframe has remained so useful.

[Hulka]

Revitalization of the nuclear enterprise. Part of an entire plan to modernize and refocus (recall the nuke incidents these past few years). Also, given the nuke posture of the US is slouching, this is much needed because the B-52 remains a critical component of the nuke forces and will be for decades to come.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

"...costs $2,500..."

WTF? Must be a misprint. Gotta be about 6 zeroes missing.

Since when is ANY weapons system measured in hundreds or thousands of dollars?

[OKSooner]

Nucular.

[redstateconfidential]

[Between the Lines]

The original ones, which depended on ropes and pulleys to put sunshades over the inside of cockpit windows after a nuclear weapon was dropped , never worked well, and have long since fallen into disuse.

I didn't know that they were ever used. It was B-29s that dropped the nukes on Japan.

[Pistolshot]

Kong checks the contents of his survival kit with his crew on board the B-52:

- one .45 caliber automatic
- two boxes of ammunition
- four days' concentrated emergency rations
- one drug issue containing antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizer pills
- one miniature combination Russian (pronounced 'Rooshan') phrase book and Bible
- one hundred dollars in rubles
- one hundred dollars in gold
- nine packs of chewing gum
- one issue of prophylactics
- three lipsticks
- three pair of nylon stockings

"Shoot, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff."

[truemiester]

Major T. J. “King” Kong Survival kit contents check. In them you’ll find: one forty-five caliber automatic; two boxes of ammunition; four days’ concentrated emergency rations; one drug issue containing antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizer pills; one miniature combination Russian phrase book and Bible; one hundred dollars in rubles; one hundred dollars in gold; nine packs of chewing gum; one issue of prophylactics; three lipsticks; three pair of nylon stockings. Shoot, a fella’ could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff.

[shoutingandpointing]

Great. Now I am inspired to watch Dr. Strangelove—AGAIN! lol

[Repeal The 17th]

Whew, I am relieved to read about the upgrades
and glad that the old classic still has a role to play.
I first read the headline “...Curtains For The B-52...”
and thought it was bad news for the old birds.

[thecabal]

Thank you Major Kong, that was awesome.