When I was small child living on a Air Force base near Yosemite, one day all the huge B-36 bombers flew away. They were replaced by the first B-52's in 1955. Fifty-six years later, it appears the B-52 will not soon be fading away. In fact, they may just go on and on and on . . . as reported at
The B-52 Gets a 21st-Century Upgrade:
The B-52s tasked with this mission will fly until at least 2040, representing nearly a century of active duty. The airframes and engines will remain the same, but the birds will be upgraded with new hardware (as well as with the nuclear brawn) to extend their service lives.
Now, if I can only find a way to get that sort of upgrade . . . perhaps I can make it to 2040, too.
I've always found it remarkable how well they have served. If you find the way to get that upgrade (I suspect it's higher than depot grade) would you let me know, Please. Great site.
ReplyDeleteSAC has a plan. The figure that, if the B-52 flies slow enough, it will be indistinguishable from the background on radar.
ReplyDeleteJust think how many more airframes we could have if Bush 41 had not destroyed them to appease some screwy, feel good, one sided treaty.
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