Originally published The B-52J Bomber Will Be What the Air Force Truly Needs on by https://globalsecurityreview.com/decoding-the-language-of-precision-warfare/ at Global Security Review
The B-52J Bomber Might Just Be What the Air Force Truly Needs (msn.com)
By: Maya Carlin for the National Interest
What You Need to Know:
-The U.S. Air Force plans to keep the B-52 Stratofortress bomber operational into the mid-21st century, potentially surpassing a century of service.
-The upcoming B-52J variant marks the most significant upgrade in the aircraft’s history.
-Key enhancements include replacing the old Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines with new Rolls-Royce F130 engines under the Commercial Engine Replacement Program boosting fuel efficiency by 30%.
-The B-52J will also feature improved avionics, digital displays, and is set to carry the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM), a scramjet-powered weapon capable of speeds over Mach 5.
-These upgrades ensure the B-52 remains a vital asset in the Air Force’s strategic arsenal.
Here Comes the B-52J Bomber
More than 70 years ago, the legendary B-52 strategic bomber first took to the skies for the U.S. Air Force. This long-range, subsonic aircraft may be rapidly aging, but the Air Force is nowhere near pushing it out of service. In fact, the Stratofortress will continue serving into the mid-21stt century. It might pass the century mark before it is finally retired. The service plans for a fleet in the next decade that will include 76 newly upgraded B-52s and at least 100 next-generation B-21 Raiders.
Originally published The B-52J Bomber Will Be What the Air Force Truly Needs on by https://globalsecurityreview.com/decoding-the-language-of-precision-warfare/ at Global Security Review
Originally published Global Security Review