The analyst of the US Department of Defense on military capabilities and armaments, David Reimers, in a material for 19FortyFive, suggested arming civilian aircraft with missiles. He believes that this will preserve the strike potential after reducing the number of bombers.
Reimers noted that the US Air Force has completed the decommissioning of 17 B-1B Lancer bombers, each of which could carry 24 air-to-surface cruise missiles. According to the analyst, the US Navy is preparing to end the service of some ships with missile weapons.
According to Reimers, the loss of bombers can be compensated by using civilian aircraft as a platform for launching cruise missiles. The analyst noted that in the late 1970s, Boeing proposed a project to use the 747-200C airliner as a cruise missile carrier (CMCA, Cruise Missile Carrier Aircraft).
The project involved the placement of launchers with AGM-86 missiles in the cargo compartment of the liner. One passenger Boeing could carry 72 missiles. To launch ammunition, the aircraft received an additional hatch.
The author notes that in modern conditions, it is possible to make Boeing 777-300, 777-300ER or 747-400F aircraft carriers, which civilian operators refuse. In his opinion, the aircraft will need minimal modernization to carry cruise missiles. In particular, the liners can receive an upgraded cargo compartment and additional equipment.
Reimers stressed that the fuselage of the Boeing 777-300ER can accommodate 152 missiles, and twin-engine Boeing 747s will save the cost of delivering ammunition. Also, civilian airliners will be able to use military and civilian airports, and the appearance of the aircraft will allow disguising weapons carriers among civilian airliners.
Earlier, 19FortyFive commented on reports about the possibility of the transport refrigerator "Ivan Papanin" to carry missiles in containers. The publication stressed that the missiles and a strong hull will allow the transport ship to operate in the Arctic without additional support.
Daniil Irinin
