100 Years in the Air - Boeing published the first image of the upgraded B-52 Stratofortress nuclear bomber, which will get new engines and can carry hypersonic missiles with a range of 15,000 km
Boeing will modernize the B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber, which could celebrate its 100th anniversary with the U.S. Air Force.
Here's What We Know
Below you can see the first official image of the upgraded version of the B-52 Stratofortress, which was released by Boeing a few days ago. The exterior video of the aircraft will be almost unchanged, and almost all of the innovations will affect the bomber's interior world.
The key upgrade of the B-52 Stratofortress in more than 50 years will be the engine replacement program. A few weeks ago, Boeing already tested a mock-up of the aircraft in a wind tunnel. Boeing will abandon the Pratt & Whitney TF33-PW-103, which ceased production in the 1980s and will be out of service in eight years. They will be replaced by Rolls-Royce F130 engines.
The U.S. Air Force strategic bomber will retain eight engines. They will be installed under the wings in four groups of two engines. Also the modernization includes the installation of modern equipment, including radar with active phased array on the basis of AN/APG-79 radar station. In this regard, the designers will move the opto-electronic sensors from the nose section under the wing, where special containers will be created for them.
Back in the last century, B-52H Stratofortress aircraft underwent a non-nuclear upgrade that allowed them to use Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) and AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM). The new upgrade will provide the ability to carry hypersonic missiles with a launch range of up to 15,000 km.
The upgrade will extend the service life of the B-52 Stratofortress until the 50s of this century. It will be called B-52J or B-52K. The aircraft made its first flight in the late summer of 1954, so it has every chance to meet its 100th anniversary in the air. The bomber replacements will last from 2028 to 2035. The U.S. Air Force wants 75 modernized bombers to pair with the hundred next-generation B-21 Raider. Nearly $12 billion will be allocated to achieve the goal.
Source: AND