Ed Markey: “The B-2 bomber truly is an extraordinary aircraft. After 14 years of flunking a whole series of Air Force performance…”

“The B-2 bomber truly is an extraordinary aircraft. After 14 years of flunking a whole series of Air Force performance tests, this year the B-2 has evaded detection by Republican budget-cutting radar, overcome Pentagon efforts to end further procurement, and out-maneuvered taxpayer groups working for a balanced budget. This ``Airborne Edsel,'' however, does seem to have difficulty handling more tangible obstacles like rainclouds and mountainsides. According to a report prepared by the General Accounting Office, the B-2's radar cannot distinguish rain from other obstacles and has fallen short of meeting some of its most important mission requirements. The GAO report indicates that software problems have delayed flight tests, changes in the plane's mission will further increase costs, and the contractor--after 9 years of production--is still delivering B-2's that don't meet Air Force mission requirements. Originally designed to drop nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union, the B-2 is the plane that time forgot. The cold war's over, Chechnya--not world conquest--preoccupies Russian military thinkers, and the Air Force now places a higher priority on other weapons systems. Still, the call for more B-2's persists. The Nation's top military officials oppose further procurement of B-2 bombers, including: The Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Air Force Chief of Staff.”