It’s not just 20lbs, its the physical space requirements, as well as integrating it into the systems.

The B-52 has lots of room for retrofitting. You have to remember that the old analog computers, both mechanical and vacuum tube, took up a lot of space.

The A-10's Airframe has not been able to keep up with the needs of the modern battlefield. Namely the ability to integrate with data communications and real time re-tasking. That and the USAF has found that modern aircraft in the fleet are able to forward load logistical and MX requirements before the AC has yet to…

You’re very right. Gen Horner directed that the Desert Storm I air war proceed in mid to high level strikes. Only the brits and a few other aircraft were permitted to do low level. Low level strikes did have the highest levels of attrition due to AAA.

The Ac-130 Stinger II /J variants do carry missles/bombs/JDAMs.

Nothing quite shows how much you care about your enemy than a multi-stike carpet bombing.

The US military is a functioning dictatorship. Very much top down instructions. A military organization can not operate effectively if it was democratic.

The last work being done on Napalm was a large area devise that would be a follow on to the Daisy cutter. It would of been used to level large areas of forest & jungle to create helicopter landing areas.

The US does not adhere to Geneva conventions that have been put in place but not ratified by the US. The only thing the US signed was to “not use them on civilian targets.” That leaves huge grey areas open for interpretation. Incendiary weapons are still in the arsenal.

Tyler, I have to carry them several times while deployed. They are not for my giant ape hands.

I carried a Sig P220 in my survival vest instead of the M-9 for most of my career. An now I won’t part with my P220SST for regular carry.

Also this guy,

Hey Tyler,

Man, that brought me back... Load*.*, 8,1 !!!!!!

Tyler, now you’re in my world. Welcome to the fascinating realm of ELINT!

As part of the Ec-130H CC crew, we had the honor to work with these guys several times during my time there in the 90’s. over-watched providing EA coverage to their strikes many times. Them and the Triple Nickle (555th) with the 16Cs. Great bunch of professionals to work with.

I now work at Wright-Pat and some of the aircraft program managers work just down the hall. They’ve been lamenting for some time now that many of the bomber crews are now experiencing high turnovers with people leaving the service. Biggest reason the aircrews are saying is just what you said. High loiter time. These…

I’ve roamed the boneyard extensively.

When I was stationed at DM in the 90’s (young airman) I got tagged with Security Forces. I got to tool around in the boneyard quite a bit. It wasn’t uncommon for illegal immagrants to get through the fences and set up camp under a wing or open up one of the larger birds to camp.

They are absolute maintenance nighmares. About 5-8 years ago, the USAF had to retire half of the fleet to help pay for the remaining half. So they retired the highest hour airframes and now canibalize those for parts to keep the remaining airworthy.