May 10, 1976

May 10, 1976

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Bombers

Fb-111’s Effectiveness Increased

By Craig Covault19 min

SAC in Transition

Weapon Gain and Personnel Curbs Highlight Peacetime Posture Drive

By Clarence A. Robinson18 min

SAC in Transition

Targeting Flexibility Emphasized By Sac

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102103
Bombers

Fb-111’s Effectiveness Increased

New avionics software, improved electronic countermeasures expand low-altitude penetration capability of medium bomber

By Craig Covault19 min

2223
SAC in Transition

Weapon Gain and Personnel Curbs Highlight Peacetime Posture Drive

Offutt AFB, Neb.—Strategic Air Command is in a critical transition period as the U. S. and the USSR move into a position of nuclear weapons parity described by senior Defense Dept. officials as rough equivalency. SAC has entered a sustained peacetime strategic posture that has resulted in a reduction of half its personnel since 1962 while at the same time increasing the nuclear warheads on alert by 66%.

By Clarence A. Robinson18 min

2829
SAC in Transition

Targeting Flexibility Emphasized By Sac

Offutt AFB, Neb.-Strategic Air Command is supporting the national requirement for a limited or flexible nuclear weapons response-to-attack doctrine by providing an accurate force with a 97% reliability factor capable of delivering a specific number of warheads on targets without committing the entire U. S. strategic force.
8283
Reconnaissance

U-2s, Sr-71s Merged in One Wing

Consolidation program includes transferring RPVs to TAC, completes a trend in SAC that started several years ago

By Donald E. Fink15 min

3839
Force Modernization

B-1 Bomber Crux of Sac Plans

Replacement of aging B-52s assigned top priority as command prepares to absorb new weapons systems to meet future needs
148149
Management

Staff Functions Transferred From 8th, 15th Air Forces

Barksdale AFB, La.—Recent improvements in data processing technology and reliable communications systems, coupled with some budgetary pressures, have prompted moving certain staff functions from the Strategic Air Command’s 8th and 15th Air Forces to SAC headquarters in Omaha, Neb.
132133
Bombers

Weapon Advances Raise B-52 Capability

Omaha—Attack capability of the Strategic Air Command’s Boeing B-52 strike force is being enhanced by standoff nuclear-armed weapons and delivery systems with improved accuracy. Weapons delivery equipment changes in the B-52 fleet are requiring aircrew familiarity with a number of new systems at a time when overall crew experience levels are declining.
4647
Command and Control

Realtime Data Aid Sac Mission

Ability to update or change command post displays readily enhances decision making, presages still more capabilities

By Kenneth J. Stein12 min

5253
Command and Control

'looking Glass' Capabilities Improved

Offutt AFB, Neb.—Continuing development of Strategic Air Command’s Boeing EC-135 airborne command post aircraft during their 15 years of operation has given the system a greatly enhanced capability to effect control of this country’s strategic realtime through all phases of a national emergency.
9293
Reconnaissance

Simulator Displays Sr-71 Characteristics

Beale AFB, Calif.—USAF/Lockheed SR-71 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, operated by the Strategic Air Command’s 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing here, exhibits distinctly different handling characteristics as it accelerates from subsonic cruise to the Mach 3.0 flight regime, where the pilot’s systems management proficiency is as important as his flying skills.

By Donald E. Fink10 min

May 31976 May 171976