Why is it considered better/more efficient than simply launching a mission from a closer location, where you won’t need refueling?
In: Technology
Who says you have the necessary equipment in the right spot?
The 19 of the United State’s 20 B2 bombers are based out of a single airbase in Missouri. They need fancy climate controlled hangars for maintenance along with not letting non-cleared people get too close to the cool stealth stuff, its just easier to keep them all in one spot.
So what if you need to get a B-2 to drop some ordinance on Afghanistan? You could have it fly to Germany, land, refuel, get the maintenance it needs done simply because it landed, take off, fly to Afghanistan, drop its load, fly back to Germany, refuel and do a bit more maintenance, then fly back to Missouri. Orrrr you just have it fly over Germany where a KC-130 will spend a couple minutes refueling its tank at its cruising altitude and cruising speed potentially saving you a few hours due to not needing to slow down, descend, land, take off, climb, and speed up.
And you’ve kept your fancy toys out of reach of anyone nefarious
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