Penetrator (aircraft)

A penetrator is a term referring to long-range bomber aircraft designed to penetrate enemy defenses.[1] The term is mostly applied to aircraft that fly at low altitude in order to avoid radar, a strategic counterpart to the shorter-ranged tactical interdictor designs like the TSR-2 and F-111. However, the term can be applied to any aircraft that is designed to survive over enemy airspace, and has also been used for the penetration fighter designs that were designed to escort the bombers.[2]

The classic penetrator design is the Rockwell B-1 Lancer, where the term was first widely used.[1][3][lower-alpha 1] The similar Tupolev Tu-160 is also a member of this class. Other aircraft, like the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress and some versions of the F-111 have also been adapted to this role. More modern designs, like the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, can be technically classified as penetrators, but the term is not generally applied to these aircraft. However, the mission for the Next-Generation Bomber has been described as "penetrate and persist".[4]

Notes

  1. ↑ The B-1 was developed as part of a project known as the "Low-Altitude Manned Penetrator".

References

  1. 1 2 Copp, Carlo (November 1986). "The Long Range Penetrator". Australian Aviation.
  2. ↑ "USAF Air Materiel Command Design 938A Penetration Fighter Study of 1948". Retro Mechanic. 18 October 2011.
  3. ↑ Low-Altitude Manned Penetrators (PDF) (Technical report). RAND Corp. January 1965.
  4. ↑ Warwick, Graham (12 June 2007). "Speed bump: USAF sets modest goals for new bomber". Flightglobal.
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