1 This is not me. Well, of course you'd say that.

2 hm. minx rejects blockquote tags.

3 It rejects pretty much all nontrivial HTML. You use "quote" "/quote" surrounded by square brackets instead.

4

Odd...The Air Force started the SDB project back in the 1990s initially to increase the number of bombs carried by aircraft for striking pin-point but non-harden targets, namedly armored vehicles.  It was a direct outgrowth of the use of the F-111 bomber with their IR systems locating and destroying Iraqi tanks during Operation Desert Storm (Which quickly became known as 'tank-plinking', all the more so after the brass tried to stop the use of the nickname.).  Taking out tanks with 500lb PGM was a bit of an overkill - the smaller bombs could do the job just as well, and more could be carried per airframe, increasing the effectiveness of each sortie.  Never expected it to be used to knock-out hardened, and very well hardened, installations.

C.T.

5 This is not me.

Nope, of course note.  There aren't enough of you to drop against an enemy.  Your gliding properties are probably pretty lousy, too.

6 Well, um... no wings, you know.

7 *ponders "Operation:  Clone SDB" and "Operation: Jetpack"*

*ducks*

8 And if that doesn't work....

http://www.schlockmercenary.com/d/20050626.html

9 Ducks will have nothing to do with your debauchery of science, Metaphysician.

Besides, we have our own plans for Mr Den Beste.  Oh yes, yes we certainly do.  Muah-hahahhahahahahahahahhahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

10 **facepalm**

11 I'm reminded of an old Monty Python episode dealing with a nasty sheep who tried to convince his flock-mates that they could fly.  A later skit showed a "scientist" describing the aerodynamic properties of sheep.

I now find myself wondering (against all attempts to stop) about the aerodynamic properties of .Mr Den Beste, both before and after Woderduck's modifications...

12 ...and now I'm torn between "Mon canard est EN FEU!!"and "SDB does not so much fly as he does plummet." 

Heck, I'll use both.

13

30 years ago, I did go skydiving once.

Once.

14 Using the same logic as the old (but untrue) joke about astronaut pens and the cosmonaut response, the Navy's idea for lowering collateral damage (towards the end of the no-fly zones, before OIF) was to have standard 500lb bombs custom-made with the explosive filling mostly (or sometimes entirely) replaced with concrete.  With a stock JDAM or Paveway seeker fitted on, even 500lbs of nothing but steel and concrete can ruin most people's day.

Of course, while that solution might be a lot cheaper, it doesn't increase a B-2's capacity from 80 to 200+ like the SDB is supposed to.

15

30 years ago, I did go skydiving once.  Once.

Did the parachute open?

16 **face-two-palms**

17 Well, it'd explain why you only went once...

18 Oh, a perfect chance for another line from schlock!

"Rule 11:  Everything is air-droppable at least once."

19

30 years ago, I did go skydiving once. Once.

Hopefully this is a teaser to a longer story! Was there a woman involved?

20 Oh, good grief.

21 Was there a woman involved?

I can't bring myself to make the joke at Steven's expense that popped into my head...

22

Regarding comments 10, 16, and 20: http://pix.motivatedphotos.com/2009/5/10/633775495275400070-doublefacepalm.jpg

That silliness aside, this is quite possibly one of the best comment threads in the history of Chizumatic.