[stratomorph]

>The B-1 and B-52 also have low observability characteristics

I'd challenge the B-52 bit. The airframe had pretty well reached its final form by 1950. Radar was still in its infancy, let alone radar countermeasures. The plane is all radar-inviting angles (like the giant vertical stab), and there wasn't even an attempt to shield the engine exhausts from IR sensors, as IR homing weapons didn't exist at the time. I'd go so far as to say the B-52 is about as high-observable as an airplane gets.

Edit: Maybe you mean active countermeasures?

[runjake]

You are correct about the airframe, but the airframe wasn't what I was referring to.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radar-absorbent_material

Active countermeasures aren't very stealthy except when you're attacking a specific detection system.

[Retric]

Declassified info from 1945 :) page 21 shows some jamming equipment for a B-17. Page 24 even has some spoof equipment for when you want to pretend you brought some friends along.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/33263034/WWII-Radar-Countermeasure...

PS: And it just keeps going and going. It's crazy to think how far the cat and mouse game was even all the way back then.