Air Force Needs More Bombers, Experts Say: WASHINGTON -- The Air Force's inability to use short-range aircraft during the first 10 days of strikes on Afghanistan has re-energized the argument for buying more long-range warplanes, like the B-2, instead of a new generation of fighters. "In Afghanistan, as in the Balkans, long-range bombers are doing the heavy lifting. It's clear the stealthy bomber, like the B-2 . . . is much more effective," defense analyst Loren Thompson said yesterday.