Countries that use bombers

[VooWho]

What nations still use big bombers?

Nations that used or had Bombers during WW2 period. (From what I can list from head)
China
Australia
United States
UK
Germany
Spain
Italy
Russia
Poland
France
Japan
Sweden
Finland
Canada
Netherlands/East Dutch Indies
(Countries I think might have had a small bomber force)
Peru
Brazil
Mexico
South Africa
Iraq?
Czech
Hungary
Bulgaria

Cold War era (late 40s, 50s - 80s)
United States
UK
USSR
China
Cuba
France
USSR Block Countries
Australia
Canada
Finland
(Countries that might have had a bomber force)
Brazil
Peru
Argentina
India
Pakistan

Modern Nations with Bomber force
United States
Russia
Ukraine
UK (No longer uses large bombers I think, maybe the Canberra still?)
(Countries I think might have a bomber force but not sure)
China
Cuba
Argentina?


But my question is how many countries and which ones still use a bomber force?

[1K3]

As of early 21st century, only Russia and US still use heavy bombers

[Airscrew]

Originally posted by 1K3
As of early 21st century, only Russia and US still use heavy bombers

are you sure of that?  I mean maybe and then again maybe not....

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=2623660&C=navwar

Though Russian weapon sales to China have declined in recent years, there are real fears in the region that China might procure the Tu-22 Backfire bomber and the thrust-vectoring Su-35 fighter.
“Russia made use of the joint military exercises with China in August 2006 to display new weapons for sale, including the deadly Tu-22 Backfire bomber,” said Sumihiko Kawamura, deputy director of the Okazaki Institute, Tokyo.
“China has shown strong interest in purchasing Backfire for many years. The sale of the Backfire to China is only one instance out of many to come. Even the potential sale of the Backfire will have a direct impact not only on U.S. naval strategy, but Japan’s sea-lane defense planning also. China’s introduction of deadly weapons such as the Backfire and full-fledged aircraft carriers is likely to become a source of serious concern among Japan’s defense planners,” he said.

[Kev367th]

Originally posted by VooWho
What nations still use big bombers?

Nations that used or had Bombers during WW2 period. (From what I can list from head)
China
Australia
United States
UK
Germany
Spain
Italy
Russia
Poland
France
Japan
Sweden
Finland
Canada
Netherlands/East Dutch Indies
(Countries I think might have had a small bomber force)
Peru
Brazil
Mexico
South Africa
Iraq?
Czech
Hungary
Bulgaria

Cold War era (late 40s, 50s - 80s)
United States
UK
USSR
China
Cuba
France
USSR Block Countries
Australia
Canada
Finland
(Countries that might have had a bomber force)
Brazil
Peru
Argentina
India
Pakistan

Modern Nations with Bomber force
United States
Russia
Ukraine
UK (No longer uses large bombers I think, maybe the Canberra still?)
(Countries I think might have a bomber force but not sure)
China
Cuba
Argentina?


But my question is how many countries and which ones still use a bomber force?

UK -
Canberras were relegated to recon and weather duties long before they were retired.
Last 'heavy' bomber the RAF had was the Vulcan, last operatinal use in 1982 to go bomb Port Stanley airfield.
Retired 1984.

[Serenity]

My god this topic is depressing. I hope to fly 'Heavies' when I join USAF, but it seems that dream is falling out from under me... (The Heavies are all being retired )

[nirvana]

Don't worry Reynolds, the AC-130 is still going strong:t

[VooWho]

Doesn't the Ukraine have some Tu-95/Tu-142 Bear? I think Cuba also has a few Tu-16s but maybe not anymore.

[Serenity]

Originally posted by nirvana
Don't worry Reynolds, the AC-130 is still going strong:t

Never! Gunships are all good and fun, but Heavies are the only way for me!

[Stoney74]

Originally posted by Serenity
Never! Gunships are all good and fun, but Heavies are the only way for me!

The last B-52 pilot still hasn't been born yet, so take heart Reynolds.

[Serenity]

Originally posted by Stoney74
The last B-52 pilot still hasn't been born yet, so take heart Reynolds.

Thats all that lets me sleep at night sir! (Ironically, my mentor, a former Academy admissions officer was a B-52 pilot as was my instructor's father)

[Coshy]

Has the US retired the B1? If so that only leaves us with the B52 and B2 as heavy bombers.

[Stoney74]

Originally posted by Coshy
Has the US retired the B1? If so that only leaves us with the B52 and B2 as heavy bombers.

No.  But my guess is that the B1 gets retired before the BUFF does...  Could be wrong, but there's something about being able to carry 60+ 500lb bombs in one aircraft that lends it's longevity some importance.  Not to mention the fact that is has more EW capacity than the dedicated U.S. EW plane--the EA-6B.  I've always thought that in and of itself was somewhat scary.

[Serenity]

NIT-PICK ALERT!

Originally posted by Stoney74
the BUFF

...Is a general term meaning bomber, it doesnt neccesarilly mean the B-52. Sorry, I heard them say that on TV once (Calling the B-52 THE BUFF) and it kinda irked me, because 'BUFF' as far as I know it originated in England during World War Two.

[Stoney74]

Originally posted by Serenity
NIT-PICK ALERT!
...Is a general term meaning bomber, it doesnt neccesarilly mean the B-52. Sorry, I heard them say that on TV once (Calling the B-52 THE BUFF) and it kinda irked me, because 'BUFF' as far as I know it originated in England during World War Two.

Sorry, I assumed that since the B-52 crewmember association uses it to describe the plane, that it was ok.  http://www.stratofortress.org

[Sikboy]

Originally posted by Stoney74
Sorry, I assumed that since the B-52 crewmember association uses it to describe the plane, that it was ok.  http://www.stratofortress.org

Don't sweat it, Sery's still searching his databases for a Mig-28.

-Sik