The Next Generation Bomber? Just revive the FB-22.

photo via Air Power Australia

The USAF is already trying to get the public relations terrain set for the fight for the Next Generation Bomber.

It could end up being the next budget killer and the reality of that means that not only will the USAF be stuck with the F-35, but because of the tremendous cost, it will also be saddled with the B-52, B-1, and B-2 until possibly 2060 or later.

That is unsat.

Instead of taking joy in the problem that Air Force leadership placed on their own plate, I instead have a modest proposal.

Revive the FB-22 Concept.

The benefits?  The tooling for the F-22 were saved.  A stretched version will be comparatively easy to design, it will have a bit of stealth, but it will be ready for service long before a clean sheet NGB.

It will not be a deep strike fighter bomber, it will not be able to do penetration missions and our nuclear triad will become two legged.  But a bit of honesty.  Its been two legged for a long time now anyway.  This will simply codify what everyone knows to be the truth.

What do ground power advocates get?  Since air power is no longer going to be provided at knife edge distance by the likes of the AV-8B, F-16, F-15, F-18 and especially the A-10 (talking fast movers not helos...attack helicopter boys will still get down low and bring the pain) it will give us something not as good but adequate.  A high flying, extremely fast, persistent bomb truck over the battlefield that will be able to drop ordinance on the designated target.  If Afghanistan is the example then 3 high flying FB-22's could probably cover the entire country, with tanker support could remain airborne for hours and depending on the type of support needed could probably attack multiple targets per flight.  One or two FB-22 squadrons could take the place of a whole slew of current fighters trying to do the job.

In my opinion it makes sense, will save money and will enshrine the fact that land and sea based ballistic missiles are the real guardians of our nuclear deterrent.

Oh and since the Pentagon is so enamored of rebranding, how about we rename the FB-22, the B-5 Medium Bomber.  We haven't had medium bombers in name (the A-6 and A-7 were actually medium and light bombers) since Vietnam.  It sings.  The USAF should get on it.  If they need to save money its time to get realistic now.