The B-52s still present a
substantial threat to adversaries by
virtue of an ongoing multi-year air
force effort to sustain and modernize
the platform. Given the promise of the upgrades and
the continued combat relevance and
functionality of the B-52. The air
force's current plan is to keep the
aircraft in the force until at least 20
40 or so.
In recent years air force and industry
engineers have been equipping all 76 of
the air force B-52s with digital data
links, moving map displays next
generation avionics, new radios and an
ability to both carry more weapons
internally and integrate new high-tech
weapons as they emerge. New higher tech radio communications and
data links enable B-52 crews to receive
updated targeting information while in
flight. The air force is also giving the B-52 an
upgraded internal weapons bay designed
to integrate more cutting-edge weapon
systems. these include the joint air-to-surface
standoff missile and a system called
miniature air launch decoy.
The technical structure and durability
of the B-52 airframes in the air force
fleet are described as extremely robust
and able to keep flying well into the
2040s and beyond. So the service is
taking steps to ensure the platform
stays viable by receiving the most
current and effective avionics, weapons
and technologies. Air force weapons
developers have said, the B-52 has a massive
185-foot wingspan, a weight of about 185,000 pounds and an ability to reach high
subsonic speeds in altitudes of 50,000
feet.
The 159 foot long B-52s have in recent
years been operating over afghanistan in
support of military actions there from a
base in guam. The B-52 also served in operation desert
storm in 2001 the B-52 provided close
air support to forces in middle east
during operation enduring freedom. Service officials said
the B-52 also played a role in operation
middle east freedom. On march 21 2003
b-52hs launched approximately 100 C conventional air launch cruise missiles
during a night mission.
