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by bolasanibk 1360 days ago
Some have: B-29 tail turret https://media.defense.gov/2010/Jun/14/2000352211/-1/-1/0/100...

I am guessing mostly space and weight are at a premium in an airplane.

2 comments

B-52 was the last USAF bomber to have a rear-ward facing guns. During the Gulf War, one of two theories that a rear-ward facing gunner turned on his defensive fire control system and was hit by friendly fire after an F4 released anti-radiation (HARM) missile in the blind. The AGM-88 locked on to the DFCS and blew off the rear section of the BUFF -- which was then nicknamed "In HARM's Way".

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/exclusive-former-buff-gunner...

The correct tense is had. In the age of air to air missiles, a chasing plane would never bother getting into range. (but that does make me wonder if anti missile point defense might ever come to flying carriers. A part of me wants to joke that those would likely make the B-52 reach its bicentennial)