History: B52 vs US aircraft carrier? Who would win

Platapus · 09-01-20, 09:58 AM

Can a B52 bomber approach a US Aircraft Carrier close enough to engage with missiles without being detected?

An interesting question. The US Navy and US Air Force tried to find out in the 1990's in a joint exercise in the Persian Gulf.

At first, it may seem to be a silly self evident question. B52s are big and relatively slow moving and Aircraft Carriers have lots of radars and aircraft with lots of radars protecting it.

Well the crew, and especially the CO of the USS Ranger (CV-61) were surprised when two B52s called for permission to overfly the USS Ranger when at a distance of approximately 9,000 meters. This radio call was the first indication that the Aircraft Carrier, or any of the aircraft, were aware of the proximity of the two B52s that came from Guam.

Pictures or it never happened!

This, ladies and gentlemen, is a B52 flying under the level of the deck of an Aircraft Carrier. That's about 50 feet above the water!

Fake picture? Here are some more.

The phrase "keeping under their radar" comes to mind.

This is one of many reasons why Aircraft Carriers are usually surrounded by other ships. Sometimes, visual may be the only indicator.

Now imagine what a much smaller missile traveling much faster could do?

Pretty cool exercise and pretty good flying of a B52. I bet that ate up some fuel.

09-01-20, 09:58 AM	#1
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,000 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	History: B52 vs US aircraft carrier? Who would win Can a B52 bomber approach a US Aircraft Carrier close enough to engage with missiles without being detected? An interesting question. The US Navy and US Air Force tried to find out in the 1990's in a joint exercise in the Persian Gulf. At first, it may seem to be a silly self evident question. B52s are big and relatively slow moving and Aircraft Carriers have lots of radars and aircraft with lots of radars protecting it. Well the crew, and especially the CO of the USS Ranger (CV-61) were surprised when two B52s called for permission to overfly the USS Ranger when at a distance of approximately 9,000 meters. This radio call was the first indication that the Aircraft Carrier, or any of the aircraft, were aware of the proximity of the two B52s that came from Guam. Pictures or it never happened! This, ladies and gentlemen, is a B52 flying under the level of the deck of an Aircraft Carrier. That's about 50 feet above the water! Fake picture? Here are some more. The phrase "keeping under their radar" comes to mind. This is one of many reasons why Aircraft Carriers are usually surrounded by other ships. Sometimes, visual may be the only indicator. Now imagine what a much smaller missile traveling much faster could do? Pretty cool exercise and pretty good flying of a B52. I bet that ate up some fuel. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.