From: CMSgt Mike Bergman <bergman@afnews.pa.af.mil>
Subject: AF News Svc 08/10/92
Organization: Hq Air Force News Agency/SCC
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 20:39:32 GMT


From CMSgt Mike Bergman <bergman@afnews.pa.af.mil>


From CMSgt Mike Bergman <bergman@afnews.pa.af.mil>


629.  B-2 test successes
by TSgt. David P. Masko
Air Force News Service
     WASHINGTON -- Facing one of the most critical reviews of a weapons system
in recent years, the B-2 bomber successfully passed a recent test of its
low-observable systems, helping to erase any lingering doubts about its
stealth characteristics.
     "I'm pleased to report success," Air Force Secretary Donald B. Rice told
reporters at a special Pentagon press briefing, called Aug. 6 to announce the
findings of the review.
     The tests demonstrate the B-2 can meet, and even exceed, the
specifications in one part of the frequency spectrum that the bomber had
problems with last year, Rice said.
     From the beginning of the flight test program, Air Force officials said
the B-2 testing would be very detailed and thorough, and that the results
would be quantified and objective.
     For the past year, B-2 test-bed aircraft were used to pinpoint a problem
after a July 1991 test showed performance less than predicted in a portion of
the low-observable signature spectrum which relies on stealth technology.
     The testing confirmed that last summer's signature deviation was indeed a
question of edges and surfaces, not of the basic design of the platform, Rice
said.
      "We have today even higher confidence -- as the Defense Science Board
has attested now for some time -- that the B-2 will be the highly
survivability aircraft that it has been intended from the very beginning of
this program," he said.
     "The B-2 design is sound."
     Congress had imposed certain restrictions on the B-2 program in regard to
test program progress, but based on the confirmed soundness of the
low-observable design, Rice said he's confident the latest results will
satisfy congressional restrictions.
     He also pointed out that testing demonstrated a technology spinoff that
can be used for stealth testing in other developing aircraft.
     "Not only has the B-2 passed its latest stealth test with flying colors,
the program has also developed in this past year what I consider to be a
national treasure -- a new diagnostic capability for low-observable systems,"
Rice said.
     This finding is important because it will help the Air Force pinpoint
specific causes for any stealth signature -- for the B-2 and other
low-observable systems -- and help fine-tune the use of stealth in the right
places on the aircraft.
     The Air Force has four B-2 flying test-bed aircraft in its flight test
program.  As of Aug. 6, the four planes had flown 151 times, accumulating more
than 680 hours of flight time.  The bomber tests have included aero
performance, structures and avionics evaluation.
     Testing takes place at Edwards AFB, Calif.
     The B-2 is designed to have a small radar cross-section and reduced
visual, acoustic, infrared and electromagnetic signatures.  This capability
makes it virtually impossible for enemy defense to successfully detect, track
and fire upon it.
     However, some critics in Congress question whether the B-2 will really be
invisible to enemy radar.
     "We've always said stealthy airplanes are not invisible, and they are not
immortal," Rice said.  "They are simply highly survivable, and very difficult
for defenses to deal with.
     "As it stands today, the B-2 is already the most survivable aircraft
that's even been fielded."
     Gen. John M. Loh, commander of Air Combat Command, told Congress recently
that the B-2 is the leading edge in the sequenced application of land, sea,
air and space forces operating together in future joint campaigns.
     "The B-2s will take out the toughest targets, those that could cause
unacceptable losses for us," Loh said.
     It will cost a total of $44.4 billion for 20 B-2s, research and
development, procurement and military construction to support the planes when
they are based at Whiteman AFB, Mo., Rice said.
     The Air Force wants to have two squadrons of eight B-2s operational
before the end of the century.  The other four bombers will be used for
testing, training and modification.
     Rice said the current flight tests will have to be completed by the
spring of next year because the first operational aircraft is due for delivery
at the end of 1994.

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