Penetrator (aircraft)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

The classic penetrator design is the Rockwell B-1 Lancer, where the term was first widely used.[1][3][a] The larger 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. 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. ^ a b 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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