Article

2021-09-15 Science & Technology

B2 stealth bomber worth $2BN crash lands on runway at Missouri air base after suffering in-flight malfunction: Six mile exclusion and no-fly zone set up

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Posted by Skidmark 2021-09-15 00:00|| || Front Page|| [5 views ] Top

#1 Please tell me 6 miles and 8000 ft isn't a blast radius.

Sorry, I am unable to tell you that. Please contact General Milley for details.

Posted by Besoeker 2021-09-15 01:45|| 2021-09-15 01:45|| Front Page Top

#2 Welcome to Palomares.

Posted by Procopius2k 2021-09-15 06:30|| 2021-09-15 06:30|| Front Page Top

#3 Please tell me 6 miles and 8000 ft isn't a blast radius

...It's not. However...

First, I'm assuming the bird landed mostly intact - but 'damage' in this case can be a flexible word. Keep in mind too that 'damage' could expose certain components of the airframe that we don't normally see to prying eyes. Thirty years old it may be, but the B-2 is still one of our crown jewels - better safe than sorry.

Secondly - and perhaps just as relevant - a B-2, F-35, F-22 (and to a lesser extent F-16s) accident scene is by definition a HAZMAT site. The USAF has lived in quiet fear for some years now that environmental groups will come after them because of the high health risks associated with these airframes - see also the so-far futile efforts of some folks employed at Groom Lake who say their cancers were caused by some of the materials they worked with.

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2021-09-15 06:54|| 2021-09-15 06:54|| Front Page Top

#4 /\....see also the so-far futile efforts of some folks employed at Groom Lake who say their cancers were caused by some of the materials they worked with.

Not to mention the potential cancerous effects of decades of 'above ground testing.' That would be 'above ground nuclear bomb testing' that is no longer discussed or written about.

Posted by Besoeker 2021-09-15 07:11|| 2021-09-15 07:11|| Front Page Top

#5 Not to mention the ~~potential~~ cancerous effects

'Downwinders'

Posted by Skidmark 2021-09-15 07:37|| 2021-09-15 07:37|| Front Page Top

#6 ^ Dad grew up in Fallon, NV. Died of Glioblastoma. As did a lot of his friends, classmates

Posted by Frank G 2021-09-15 07:42|| 2021-09-15 07:42|| Front Page Top

#7 But is it a total loss like the one at Andersen AFB?

Posted by M. Murcek 2021-09-15 08:09|| 2021-09-15 08:09|| Front Page Top

#8 Just for stinky stuff and giggles, I ran the numbers that would call for an 6-mile exclusion area "in case" of accidental detonation.

The B-83 1300KT Mod ## that the B-2 commonly carries, is too big for only a 6-mile safety zone. With even the Light blast damage radius out to 12.5 km and 3rd degree burns out to 11.6 km

But a B-61 300KT Mod ## "accidental" surface detonation would fit right in. With Light blast damage radius out to maybe 2.0 km and 3rd degree burns out to 7.58 km.

See: NUKE-SIM

Posted by NN2N1 2021-09-15 12:12|| 2021-09-15 12:12|| Front Page Top

#9 We only have 19 or now 18 of these. Why would they ever fly unarmed?

Posted by M. Murcek 2021-09-15 12:17|| 2021-09-15 12:17|| Front Page Top

#10 see also the so-far futile efforts of some folks employed at Groom Lake who say their cancers were caused by some of the materials they worked with.

Groom Lake is also considered 'downwind' as testing at Mercury was postponed until Weather called and said the wind was from the south, away from Vegas.

Posted by Skidmark 2021-09-15 16:52|| 2021-09-15 16:52|| Front Page Top

#11 Confucius say, "Emperor stare
At vision: fair queen of the air!
He see only ankle,
Which probably rankle,
But bury ten thousand right there."

Posted by Jeremiah and Tenille8159 2021-09-15 19:25|| 2021-09-15 19:25|| Front Page Top

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