The B-58 was designed to ONLY be armed with nuclear bombs. Let’s say that the B-58 was still being flown today. What kind of non-nuclear weapons would be hung from the B-58? Cruise missiles? Bunker Buster bomb? I’m thinking that it would be fun to finish up my B-58 with current, non-nuclear wepons.[proplr][:|] [:S] Yes, I am serious.
My guess is that they would have tried to fit the Common Strategic Rotary Launcher (CSRL) for cruise missiles, as on the BUFF.
Not possible since the B-58 didn’t have an internal bomb bay.
My guess would be JDAM’s or cruise missiles.
agreed. Probably single ALCMs on the wing hardpoints and perhaps something else off of the centerline pod. Not sure how that could be aerodynamicly set up.
The B-58 was a design that had a very short period of usefullness- a death dash threat into the USSR.
As such, it had one single attribute; Mach 2 at altitude with a bomb.
That was a doomsday scenario.
Any current mission would be the same; a death battle threat against a nuclear enemy.
As far as aerodynamics, I can’t imagine that pylon mounted ALCMs would survive any kind of sustained Mach 2 flight.
I suppose they could be encased in fall-away cocoons of stainless steel, but agasin why when a DDG can launch dozens of the things.
I checked. The MOAB is too heavy. Perhaps with strengthening and more powerful engines?
Well the center pod was a combination fuel tank and nuke. I suppose that it could be changed to have a rotary launcher installed internally. Then stuff if full of JDAMs and LGBs. Put a Sniper pod and some other sensors on the two inboard wing hardpoints, and perhaps some TERs or MERs with smaller PGMs on the remaining hard points.
This picture shows why the plane had no internal bomb bay. The entire fuselage and wing, except for the crew compartments, was a giant fuel tank. All of the bombs had to be hung under the aircraft. I guess that works okay if the intention is to drop a huge nuke on someone and then fly like a bat out of hell to get home. It would be cool to see it loaded up with bombs and missles like a fully loaded F-16.
This sounds like an interesting scenario. How would the B-58 be upgraded like the venerable B-52? The last proposed type was (according to Wiki)
B-58C: Unbuilt. Proposed as a cheaper alternative to the XB-70, this enlarged version would have carried more fuel and 32,500 lbf (145 kN) J58 engines, the same ones used on the Lockheed SR-71. Design studies were conducted with two- and four-engine designs. Capable of carrying conventional weapons, the C model had an estimated top speed approaching Mach 3, a supercruise capability of about Mach 2, a service ceiling of about 70,000 ft (21,300 m), and a maximum range of 5,200 nautical miles (6,000 mi; 9,600 km). As enemy defenses against high-speed, high-altitude penetration bombers improved, the value of the B-58C diminished and the program was canceled in early 1961.
Without stealth, and a limited ability to carry conventional weapons, perhaps its role would be something like a high-altitude launch platform for anti-satellite weapons, like the ASM-135 (meaning an advanced ASM-135). It should be able to carry several of these, instead of the one like the F-15.
Will be interesting to see your take on the subject.
Gary
While we’re in the ‘out there’ realm…there’s always the wacko conversion that was actually contemplated: the high-speed airliner.
I looked on-line and there are two resin 1/48 ASM-135’s. The story about the B-58 airliner is a hoot!. Can you imagine sitting in the ‘pod’ as the plane was fying supersonic?
That’s a cool idea, Gary. I think it’d be logistically easier, till such time as some other dedicate launch platform might be developed. More mobile than ground-based launch sites for any missiles, for example.
How about this? Change the fuel tank to a conformal arraingement and hollow out the bottom for a bomb bay or semi-conformal carriage of guided munitions, similar to the F-15E.
Sounds interesting, regardless. I look forward to what your imagination creates.
John
I think the best use of a B-58 in the current time would be to support the economy. At what it costs to operate it would be a real stimulus. No need for bombs at all. With the tax revenue from all that income there would be enough money to support the F-35 program in a proper manner.
Thunderbirds! Imagine five in formation! I’d pay a lot to go to that airshow.
http://randolphbrewercom.fatcow.com/b58/history_offensive.php You may find this link to the history of the “pod” interesting. I was unaware of the two part pod before this article.
Heh, heh, heh, heh… (Rubs hands together gleefully)
And it would make the (very noisy) F-35 seem relatively quiet in comparison. Win win all the way around.[6]
I had always thought that the F-16 was pretty loud. Yesterday at the Great Pacific Airshow they had a full demo routine by the F-35. That sucker is indeed pretty loud. Although the Thunderbird solo pilots streaking overhead at just above rooftop level at around 500 knots was pretty loud too…
It’s been so long since I’ve seen a Phantom fly though, I can’t remeber how noisy those puppies were with their twin J79s… same engines as on the B-58.
I love airshows. Nothing beats a low flying Air force jet flying super fast and super loud.