"Simple, straightforward navigation. The Megafortress uses the Satellite Global Positioning System for navigation, along with a ring-laser gyro inertial navigation set. The INS is updated by the satellite, so the radar scope isn't needed for navigation-we've modified it more for threat detection than for navigation.
"The radar nav uses a plug-in cartridge with all the navigation points and computer subroutines in it. The gyro takes three minutes to spin-up to full alignment, and it's accurate to a quarter of a degree per hour just by itself. The satellite system automatically locks onto two of the eight Air Force navigation satellites orbiting the Earth and fixes its position once every five minutes, and it's accurate to a few feet every time. The radar nav also has a combination computer and TV monitor and a keyboard for reprogramming the computer.
Elliott pointed to the ten-inch attack radar scope. "The Old Dog now has a Hughes APG -75 attack radar from the Navy F/A-18 Hornet fighter, which can feed targeting and tracking information to any of the Scorpion missiles. The radar can also serv e as a navigation radar, if necessary, and it can be used as a terrain-avoidance mapping display "There's more, sir," Elliott asked. "Let's go upstairs."
The two men climbed another ladder to the upper deck.
"Pilots won't be happy about this," Elliott commented, "but we didn't do much in the pilot's compartment. Their job hasn't changed much.
This Megafortress has the capability of automatically monitoring its fuel system and electrical panel, so it frees the co-pilot to help out.
"One major addition is the automatic terrain avoidance system," Elliott explained. "It's an adaptation of the cruise missile's terrain comparison system. We needed a system that could help the Old Dog fly as close to the earth as possible, but without using radar transmissions that would give away the plane's location.
"The satellite navigation system and inertial nav system sends present position, heading, and groundspeed information to a computer, which already has all significant terrain and man-made obstacles for the proposed flight planned region programmed into it. The system finds where it is and figures out what altitude is safe for the proposed flight path. It then sends instructions to the autopilot to fly a set altitude over the terrain. Radar is only used intermittently as a back-up to the syst.e.m. so electronic emissions that could expose the plane's position are almost eliminated."
They half-walked, half-crawled aft of the cockpit to the defensive crew compartment. "Not many changes at the electronic warfare officer's station, either," Elliott asked. "His equipment is more specialized and a bit more automatic. The gunner's station is quite different. He has an eight-inch firecontrol radar, the controls and indicators for the defensive missile launcher, and the controls for the air mine cannons and forward-firing missiles.
He'll be one busy man back here."
"All off-the-shelf, General?" Curtis asked, finding his tongue.
"If it wasn't, sir, you'd know about it. You didn't."
Elliott led Curtis back down the entrance way ladder. A pair of security guards climbed inside and did a quick inspection of the bomber interior while Curtis and Elliott were watched.
After the guards reemerged, the two men were free to leave.
Elliott escorted Curtis toward the exit.
"You realize, Brad," Curtis said as they headed for the security gate, "that this whole trip was just a friendly visit. I wasn't asking about any special project or piece of equipment.
Just a friendly visit, that's all."
"Perfectly clear, General," Elliott said.
"Good. Now that we understand each other, I want to know-" "My test bed B-1B arrives in three weeks," Elliott interrupted him. "It's been on the books for months, far earlier than your meeting with the President. No connection could ever be made.
Curtis smiled. Then: "Only one B-1T' Elliott thought for a moment.
"I'm having lunch with the commander of the test and evaluation unit at Edwards in a few days. Colonel Jim Anderson, a real fireball but a great stick. I wanted to invite him in on some of the new Old Dog weapons tests I'm conducting. I think he can supply us with a B-1
A-model the contractors aren't using. We won't be able to bring it here to Dreamland without raising some curiosity, but I think he can arrange to have it….. at our immediate disposal. We can get it here when….. the time comes."
Curtis shook his head in disbelief. "And I thought I had influence."
He smiled — "If I didn't know better, Brad, I'd say you knew what I was thinking all along."
"After Andy Wyatt got hold of me, sir," Elliott said, "I didn't spend time shining my latrines up for your visit. "He thought for a moment, then said, "it just so happens that those Old Dog tests will coincide perfectly with the refit of those B-1s. Most of the equipment you've seen here tonight can be put in those B-1s in no time at all."
"All right, all right, Brad.
This is starting to get spooky," Curtis asked. "Remember, I never asked you for anything, you never saw those intelligence notes, and "I understand completely, General. "He looked sideways at the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and said, "Two months.
Curtis shook his head in disbelief. "You mean-?"
"The tests will be completed in two months, sir," Elliott asked. "For… whatever reason.
"I may need a plane sooner… for whatever," Curtis said.
Elliott thought for a moment-but only a moment.
"Then I'll send the Old Dog."
Curtis started to laugh but choked back the urge when he saw that Elliott was serious.
"You're crazy, Elliott Curtis asked. "A thirty-year-old B-52?You've been wandering around this desert for too long.
Elliott smiled. "Just a thought, General," he asked. "Just a thought Dowwowlv MANHAnAN Andrina Asserni, confidential secretary and aide to Ambassador Dmitri Karmarov, Soviet Ambassador to the United Nations, could scarcely believe it when she was informed by security that Secretary of State Marshall Brent was waiting in the outer reception area of the Ambassador's private residence.
"Show him in immediately," she told the guard. And a minute later he appeared.
"Secretary Brent…
"Zdrastwayti. Good evening, Miss Asserni," Marshall Brent said in fluent Russian. Asserni's eyes twinkled. How strange and wonderful her language sounded, coming from such a tall, distinguished American.
"May I speak with the Ambassador, please?"
Asserni stammered. "Why, uh, yes… of course. My apologies, Mr. Secretary. Please, please come in. "She stood in awe as Brent strode into the outer apartment. She had never seen the American Secretary travel like this, alone.
"My sincerest apologies, Mr. Secretary," Asserni asked. "I had no idea you would call on us — " "This is a very informal and impromptu visit, Miss Asserni, I assure-" At that instant, Ambassador Karmarov entered the outer apartment. He wore a simple blue robe in place of a coat, and carrying a can of beer, looked exactly the opposite of his stiff, official persona. "Comrade Asserni, get me the file on-" "Comrade Ambassador!"
Karmarov looked up from his papers and took a step back.
"Marshall… Brent… I mean, Mr. Secretary."
"I hope I am not intruding, Ambassador Karrnarov "No… no, of course not. "He turned to Asserni and handed her the documents he was carrying. "Take the Secretary's coat, Asserni, what possesses you?
Why wasn't I notified?" Brent removed his long dark coat with slippery ease, and Asserni took it in her arms like a newborn baby.
"This is an unexpected surprise "Ochin zhal. I do apologize for any inconvenience this visit has caused, Ambassador," Brent asked. "But I was hoping to speak with you on an urgent matter.
"Of… of course. "Karmarov motioned to his inner apartment. "Do come in. "He turned to Asserni. "Bring coffee and brandy immediately.