The Unreality of Stealth Versions for B-52 and B-25
Discussing the idea of a B-52 or B-25 stealth version is akin to trying to hide a roaring elephant by painting it black and padding its feet as it charges through the jungle or plain. Such a concept is unrealistic and unhealthy, bordering on wishful thinking. The fundamental nature of these aircraft, their massive size and powerful engines, makes them highly detectable. Their presence would create significant noise and vibrations, making them conspicuous rather than stealthy.
Why Stealth Versions Would Not Work
First, let’s consider the B-52. It is simply too large to be made stealthy without a complete overhaul of the airframe. Stealth design relies on shaping the aircraft to minimize radar reflections, but this requires a completely different and often more aerodynamically efficient design. The B-52’s current shape and size make it highly reflective to radar, akin to a huge billboard on radar screens.
Similar principles apply to the B-25. While it is a WWII-vintage aircraft, a few key aspects make it unsuitable for a stealth conversion: the propellers, which spin and reflect radar signals like there is no tomorrow. Propensity to reflect radar means that even with new materials and designs, a B-25 would still be easily detectable.
Strategies Used in the Past
The strategy in the USAF during my time was to fly very low, where radars had difficulty picking us up. Even modern fighters found it challenging to detect us, especially at night. Low-level flight exploits the limitations of radar, which have difficulty detecting objects at low altitudes. This strategy was effective in deceiving enemy defenses, creating confusion, and instilling fear among potential targets.
Flying low also defeated the immediate response capabilities of defenders, such as fighters and ground-based missile systems, which had to be alerted and taken to altitude to engage the incoming bombers. The element of surprise and the psychological impact of such low-altitude passes cannot be understated.
Conclusion
A B-52 or B-25 stealth version would not be the same aircraft. The sheer size and design of these bombers preclude any meaningful stealth conversion without fundamentally altering the aircraft to an unrecognizable extent. The true value of stealth aircraft lies in their ability to blend into the environment and remain undetected, a challenge that propeller-driven bombers simply cannot overcome due to their reflective nature.
Instead of focusing on stealth conversions, the emphasis should remain on traditional tactical strategies that rely on low-level flight, deception, and psychological impact. These methods have proven effective historically and continue to be a critical aspect of air warfare strategy.