quasi Report This Comment Date: March 30, 2012 09:09PM
From the USAF,
"A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft from the 337th Test and
Evaluation Squadron (TES) stands by as another Lancer connects with a U.S. Air
Force KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft Feb. 23, 2012 for inflight
refueling during a mission over the Gulf of Mexico near Eglin Air Force Base,
Fla. The 337th TES is a geographically separated unit of the 53rd Wing, which is
headquartered at Eglin AFB. The 337th TES is responsible for operational testing
of all B-1B defensive and offensive systems and weapons upgrades. (Courtesy
photo by Jake Melampy)"
anon Report This Comment Date: March 31, 2012 12:21AM
I was a Air Force Firefighter stationed at Edwards AFB when the first B1A came
from the Palmdale Plant. To safety the ejection capsule, you had to go a
panel,open it and turn the switch to safety. Only problem,if you looked up.
there was the rocket engine for the escape pod,so if the pilot decided to go
while you where down there,you were going to have a bad day. Also when the
escape pod was fired,you did not want to be within 100 yards of the aircraft,the
rivets blown out by the prima cord would turn you into Swiss cheese. But it is a
large, very beautiful aircraft.
BlahX3 Report This Comment Date: March 31, 2012 12:41AM
I believe it Anon. I worked on jets in the Navy and emergency egress systems
are NOT to be anywhere near when they deploy unless you absolutely HAVE to be
riding in the motherfucker and no one does that by choice. I can imagine the
ejection pod in a B-1 packs a hell of a bigger punch than an ejection seat.