https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/a...AAZ4wdV?cvid=19f0eeaade8f4cb4854fd92a75bb2234 I've been a big believer in air power expert and writer Bill Gunston about the idea that large air bases would be largely unusable within the first hours of another major war (due to aircraft and missile strikes). Gunston of course is a big promoter of the Harrier family of combat aircraft and similar designs. I agree with this in part but I think moving to using regular highways and even dirt strips is a step forward in this line of thinking as well. Thoughts?
It would require a lot of destruction of buildings, power lines, etc. to allow for the bigger aircraft to land on public roads. Otherwise a lot of smaller aircraft already land on public roads when in some sort of trouble or other.
There are a lot of airstrips out there in the U.S., so it probably wouldn't be a big problem' a lot of old bases are still around, like Biggs, that could still handle handle big bombers, even though nowadays people think they're just Army air wing pastures.
This is actually something that has long been a major consideration when planning "Attack" aircraft design. Including the Marine Corps AV8B. Because it's primary role is supporting the "boots on the ground", being able to place it in asture conditions as far forward towards the battle lines as possible is a major consideration. These are slower than "Fighters", so any distance closer to those they have to support is a benefit. Each summer at Lejeune when doing the big games with the Reservists, there was always such a base set up. Normally on a hard surface role somewhere on base, as if it was a section of highway somewhere. Everything needed to support a wing of Harriers, as if they were really in enemy territory.
