WI the B-1A was ordered?

[yeetmahboi]

Really what it says on the tin. Let's say, WI Carter won the presidency, inherited a better Ford economy. He came to know of the existence of the stealth bomber program, but decided it's better to reserve resources to the existing, available in near term bomber: the B-1A. ATB will still flow but with less funding than IOTL.

In this scenario, would Carter massacre the B-52 fleet into a tiny regiment of motherships and CMCAs. And what would happen to the Teen Series? Would the F-14B cross hell to return to the land of the living? Would the F-16 even exist? Would th B77 nuke get made?

 

[Scott Kenny]

In this scenario, would Carter massacre the B-52 fleet into a tiny regiment of motherships and CMCAs.

I mean, that's basically what they turned into. I don't think that Carter would significantly slash the fleet. Maybe the -Ds and -Es, if they couldn't be modified to carry ALCMs. I would suggest that all the -Gs would be declared as cruise missile carriers, so would not need the big wing root fairings.

And what would happen to the Teen Series? Would the F-14B cross hell to return to the land of the living?

The original F-14B is tied to the development of the F401 engine. The USAF scammed the F100 over the 150hr endurance test and the Navy protested, then Congress shut down funding for the F401.

Would the F-16 even exist?

The argument for the F-16 was that the US could not afford to buy some 2000+ F-15s. (Or however many F-4 Phantoms the USAF owned) As is, the USAF only held about 750 total F-15A/B/C/Ds in our timeline. It would take a much, much healthier economy to afford total replacement of F-4s with F-15s.

Plus, the US did need to replace the F-105 and A-7, not counting the Phantoms. So there's still a need for a fighter-bomber. Not to mention replacing all those F-104Gs in Europe.

Would th B77 nuke get made?

Arguable. The B77 program apparently had a lot of cost overruns.

 

[yeetmahboi]

I mean, that's basically what they turned into. I don't think that Carter would significantly slash the fleet. Maybe the -Ds and -Es, if they couldn't be modified to carry ALCMs. I would suggest that all the -Gs would be declared as cruise missile carriers, so would not need the big wing root fairings.

It is hard to find justification to do so, but mind you, IOTL the Pentagon slashed F-111 production just one year prior in anticipation that Carter would stamp the B-1 into life. Then, kahoosh. Plus upon introduction to service I'm sure it would not take a long time to find some faults within the B-1 and fundings could need to be appropriated ahead of time (a kind of, either this or ELSE!).

I like the idea of a bunch of Dale Brown esqe Megafortresses toting a big belly mod and turbofans for a magnitude improvement in range/payload. And can't forget the canards!

The original F-14B is tied to the development of the F401 engine. The USAF scammed the F100 over the 150hr endurance test and the Navy protested, then Congress shut down funding for the F401.

My idea is to inject some sense into the AF to keep the Vark line running for another 3-4 years to yonk out a finale G-type striker and H-type Spark-bird with a Teen Series turbofan, obviously since there's some weirdos out there that want an F or A type over a B on their land (plus force density). In this case let's say Pratt committed to the game and pour capital to push the F401. Eventually they got the cooperation of a group of interest and arrange a four way deal between this TACAIR group, the F-15 gang, the drowning F-14 boers and Pratt's external affairs to funnel kapital for their just in time common child. The end result being a pretty OP bird with some 17000lbs spitting out of that tailpipe in cruise. Give it some GBUs and ASALM and everything's rock solid. Plus you got a real F-15 as specs called and the Tomcat-B!

The argument for the F-16 was that the US could not afford to buy some 2000+ F-15s. (Or however many F-4 Phantoms the USAF owned) As is, the USAF only held about 750 total F-15A/B/C/Ds in our timeline. It would take a much, much healthier economy to afford total replacement of F-4s with F-15s.

Plus, the US did need to replace the F-105 and A-7, not counting the Phantoms. So there's still a need for a fighter-bomber. Not to mention replacing all those F-104Gs in Europe.

My stuck screw in this whole picture is that there's a heck lot of varying capabilities to be unified under a banner here: a heavyweight fighter bomber, a light interceptor, a super delta, a medium weight multirole.
So instead of introducing a medium weight size but loaded for vacuum F-16, WI the USAF pull a reverse Joker and start hammering Beagles away ASAP and aim for a Lavi class bird instead? The same T/W and payload/range but with an upscaled F404/J101 instead, with multirole, or at least selectable avionics right away. Steal the M2K.

 

[Scott Kenny]

It is hard to find justification to do so, but mind you, IOTL the Pentagon slashed F-111 production just one year prior in anticipation that Carter would stamp the B-1 into life. Then, kahoosh. Plus upon introduction to service I'm sure it would not take a long time to find some faults within the B-1 and fundings could need to be appropriated ahead of time (a kind of, either this or ELSE!).

I suspect Carter got oversold on the ATB.

I like the idea of a bunch of Dale Brown esqe Megafortresses toting a big belly mod and turbofans for a magnitude improvement in range/payload. And can't forget the canards!

Don't forget the V tails and pointy SST nose!

My idea is to inject some sense into the AF to keep the Vark line running for another 3-4 years to yonk out a finale G-type striker and H-type Spark-bird with a Teen Series turbofan, obviously since there's some weirdos out there that want an F or A type over a B on their land (plus force density). In this case let's say Pratt committed to the game and pour capital to push the F401. Eventually they got the cooperation of a group of interest and arrange a four way deal between this TACAIR group, the F-15 gang, the drowning F-14 boers and Pratt's external affairs to funnel kapital for their just in time common child. The end result being a pretty OP bird with some 17000lbs spitting out of that tailpipe in cruise. Give it some GBUs and ASALM and everything's rock solid. Plus you got a real F-15 as specs called and the Tomcat-B!

Funny enough, I hadn't thought about F401-powered Varks!

Yes, F401 Varks would be wild. Might even get some more range out of them.

My stuck screw in this whole picture is that there's a heck lot of varying capabilities to be unified under a banner here: a heavyweight fighter bomber, a light interceptor, a super delta, a medium weight multirole.
So instead of introducing a medium weight size but loaded for vacuum F-16, WI the USAF pull a reverse Joker and start hammering Beagles away ASAP and aim for a Lavi class bird instead? The same T/W and payload/range but with an upscaled F404/J101 instead, with multirole, or at least selectable avionics right away. Steal the M2K.

No, there's too much logistical advantage to having the Viper be half an Eagle.