"US B-52 Bombers Back Into Action Over Afghanistan" Topic

"A US B-52 bomber has pounded Taliban positions in Afghanistan's western Herat province after the group gained ground near the area amid intense clashes with government forces, officials and lawmakers said on Saturday.

The strike took place on the outskirts of Herat city on Friday, with flights to and from the area suspended after increased violence near its airport.

"Unfortunately, all flights to Herat have been canceled due to the fighting and the information we have received suggest that a B-52 was used in the fighting yesterday (Friday) in Herat," provincial lawmaker Habib Ur Rahman Pedram told Arab News…"
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Armand

! Very Good to see …

(smile)

Armand

B-52s airborne and heavily armed, when you really want to show how much you care……………….

Just have them loiter at their highest altitude, then drop the occasional laser-guided 500lber on promising targets. Much better option than continuous armed drones… ;-)

Zephyr, 500 lbers risk civilian casualties especially in dense urban fighting. No amount of accuracy is going to stop a 500+ metre blast diameter and much more for fragmentation/shrapnel. Blowing people up to save them from the Taliban isn't exactly a solution.

B-52s also need to have a Forward Air Controller either on the ground or another lower flying aircraft/drone.

The drone allows self guidance to the target and smaller munition sizes allow pin point accuracy and limited collateral damage.

And given how cheap drones are, you can cover a lot more area with lots of cheap drones than a single B-52.

Of course if the enemy is concentrated and civilian casualties are not present, than B-52 or B-1 is a great choice.

And the US doesn't have the long range heavy attack drones tech yet either. Turkey is becoming the leader in this area with a new heavy drone entering service this year.

B-52s, B-1s, B-2s, drones, whatever option is chosen. Avoid CD … but killing the Taliban, AQ, ISIS, etc. regardless is a plus. Even if it means nothing in the long run. Save for just removing more of these types from the planet.

Note … the air support includes B-52s, AC-130s & Reaper Drones … 👍👍 link

B-52 or B-1 is a great choice.

Note : They carry a variety of "Smart/Brilliant" ordinance. And can engage multiple targets, very accurately, etc. Not the "Arc Light" strikes e.g. of SE Asia in the past. B-52s, etc., are used much more in a "Tactical" manner, etc. With the introduction of very much improved "hi-tech" ordinance Regardless, some CD may/will happen.

However, it appears the Taliban are on a general offensive. They are much more in the "open" per se. Like the NVA & VC during Tet, '68 and An Loc in '72. "A target rich environment" … I'd think in A'stan now. Again … Like Tet link & An Loc. link

A Detailed Video Tour Of A B-52 Stratofortress Ever Made (Video)

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U.S. Air Force Is Testing Lasers On Its The AC-130J Gunship's

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Armand

👍👍 I'd love to see lasers on AC-130s !!!! Of course the Taliban, AQ, ISIS, etc., wouldn't like it. Hope they test it on some of these scumbag jihadis.

(smile)

Armand

That AC-130 laser seems like a waste of money. Literally doesn't do anything a 105mm or 30mmgun or guided Small Diameter Bomb can't already do.