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End Of The B-52
The B-52 has been very successful. It was the back bone of the Air Force in Vietnam. The B-52 is over 3 decades old. Could it be seeing its final days and be replaced by a smaller, more agile fighter bomber? Thanks!
RE: End Of The B-52
Latest planning is for service untill the year 2030-2040.
There is a proposal to reengine them with RB-211 engines but don't know how far that is going.
There is a proposal to reengine them with RB-211 engines but don't know how far that is going.
RE: End Of The B-52
yes, Not only is the B-52 a legend but there is no replacemet in sight. Replacements have been tried over and over again but have not worked, ie: North American XB-70 Valkryie. They will be around for a while
RE: End Of The B-52
The B-52 is an amazing aircraft, it first flew in 1952 and it is planned to stay in service for many more years, the B1B and the B-2 are way too expensive to be considered a replacement for the B-52 so it is probably gonna fly for 30 more years.
LY744.
LY744.
RE: End Of The B-52
It will be the first aircraft to serve in any service for 100 years. A true Century Series aircraft. Gotta love the ol' girl!
RE: End Of The B-52
It's going to be a while before the last one is not flying. One time I saw a TLC program that said it was not going to be retired until 2040.
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- Braniff747
- Posts: 106
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RE: End Of The B-52
In Vietnam the B-52's mission was a high altitude strategic bomber. Even back then they sometimes took horrific losses from SAM fire.
Although still in service, they are now primarily used as cruise missile platforms.
If you are further interested, there are lots of interesting articles in the popular press about the B-52. For example, in the early 1960s one crashed in SW Penna with a nuke on board when the plane's tail was sheared off in a storm (a design flaw). Also, there are some heartbreaking pictures from the early 1990s of B-52s being chopped up in compliance with a treaty with the old USSR - they did it in the open so the satellites could verify.
I was born on a B-52 base in Arkansas, the B-52 is without a doubt one of the finest aircraft ever made.
Although still in service, they are now primarily used as cruise missile platforms.
If you are further interested, there are lots of interesting articles in the popular press about the B-52. For example, in the early 1960s one crashed in SW Penna with a nuke on board when the plane's tail was sheared off in a storm (a design flaw). Also, there are some heartbreaking pictures from the early 1990s of B-52s being chopped up in compliance with a treaty with the old USSR - they did it in the open so the satellites could verify.
I was born on a B-52 base in Arkansas, the B-52 is without a doubt one of the finest aircraft ever made.
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- GunFighter 6
- Posts: 401
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RE: End Of The B-52
They should at least keep some flying 
Its a awsome plane.
Its a awsome plane.
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