superfortress
Heavily fortified citadel
Superfortress typically refers to the Boeing B-29, a heavy bomber used by the United States in World War II and the Korean War—the aircraft that dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The name suggests a fortress in the sky, emphasizing the plane's defensive armament and durability.
More loosely, superfortress can describe any heavily fortified military aircraft or installation.
Explosive-delivery aircraft or saboteur
- missionPurpose-driven task
- squadronMilitary aviation unit
- sortieArmed raid outward
- payloadCarried freight or charge
ordnance · reconnaissance · formation · air-raid · target · anti-aircraft · flak · escort
Heavy American bomber
- BoeingAmerican aircraft manufacturer
- Enola GayHistoric atomic bomber
- fuselageAircraft's central structure
- cockpitPilot's control compartment
bombardier · tailgunner · navigator · propeller · turret · radome · wingspan · high-altitude
Raising internal atmospheric force
- superchargerEngine air compressor
- innovationsNew methods or devices
- aerodynamicMinimizing drag through shape
- gunsightAiming aid on firearms
First nuclear-struck city
- NagasakiSecond city bombed atomically
- firebombingAssault using flame weapons
- incendiaryCausing or designed for burning
- aviation-historyStudy of flight's development
Across great distances
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
- intercontinentalSpanning multiple continents
- doctrineEstablished body of teachings
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
geopolitics · alliance · proliferation · superpower · triad
bomber
Explosive-delivery aircraft or saboteur
payload · ordnance · reconnaissance · formation · air-raid · target · anti-aircraft · flak · escort · gunner
B-29
Heavy American bomber
- BoeingAmerican aircraft manufacturer
- Enola GayHistoric atomic bomber
- fuselageAircraft's central structure
cockpit · bombardier · tailgunner · navigator · propeller · turret · radome · wingspan · high-altitude · aerodynamics
pressurization
Raising internal atmospheric force
- superchargerEngine air compressor
- innovationsNew methods or devices
- aerodynamicMinimizing drag through shape
Hiroshima
First nuclear-struck city
- NagasakiSecond city bombed atomically
- firebombingAssault using flame weapons
- incendiaryCausing or designed for burning
long-range
Across great distances
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
- intercontinentalSpanning multiple continents
- doctrineEstablished body of teachings
escalation · geopolitics · alliance · proliferation · superpower · triad
superfortresssitting duck
Defenseless person or thing
soft target · open ground · easy target · weak point · death trap
superfortresslight aircraft
Compact, low-weight airplane
biplane · crop duster · reconnaissance plane · Piper Cub · glider
super, fortress, fort, fortify, fortification, fortified, fortifying, fortifier, forte