Upgrades aim to extend B-52 bombers' already long lives

[TexasTowelie]

Despite the bomber's more than half-century of service, the Air Force believes that modifications and overhauls have made the B-52 ageless. Now engineers and technicians are working on a contract worth up to $11.9 billion for an array of upgrades to bring the B-52 Stratofortress fleet into the 21st century.

The plane's computers are only as powerful as the original PCs in the early 1980s. Bombing mission information has to be uploaded before a flight. It can't be changed in the air — even if the target on the ground changes.

Now Boeing is expanding on the bombers' limited capabilities by providing an upgraded communications system so aircrews can send and receive information via satellite links. This enables the B-52's five-person crews to change mission plans, re-target weapons in flight and interact better with ground forces and other aircraft.

Nobody can say for sure how many of the government's 76 B-52s — down from 744 in the plane's heyday — will survive three more decades. The most recent variant of the plane, built between 1960 and 1962, has undergone more than 30 major modifications.

More at http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ageless-b52-bomber-20130819,0,6642110.story .

[Brother Buzz]

1. Who would have believed the B-52 would out live Master Sergeant Chuck V. Brennan?

[NoPasaran]

5. To say nothing of Slim Pickens

Hollywood's greatest B-52 pilot.

[Brother Buzz]

7. I don't disagree

But then again, Karl wasn't a pilot, he just kept them flying.

[Boom Sound 416]

2. They are turning them in to drones

[Recursion]

3. They'd be awful drones

Why on earth would they do that?

[Boom Sound 416]

8. Why would they be awful?

I can imagine a drone b-52 re-armed with god knows how many single strike laser guided bombs on station for a limitless amount of time. Air refueled and no need for human support with no stress of human loss subject to equipment failure or attack.

That thing could sit on station above a zone for a month.

Launched from the USA it would greatly reduce our footprint on the holy land (that's for sure) while ensuring plenty of war for the mongers.

[Recursion]

9. Expensive as hell to fly and operate

The whole point of drones is to be less expensive by an order of magnitude than the manned fleet.

[Boom Sound 416]

10. I understand.

But not having five souls aboard is the greatest expense cut is in the eyes of a politician.

As to actual money, could be or not. I know they fly the b-2's from Missouri only but b-52's are stationed around the world I believe. Droning them may consolidate support. Also the fact that they would stay on station is cheaper than indivual missions I would think. Just taking off alone requires a refuel.

[KG]

4. pissing away more money into the gaping MIC maw

[neverforget]

6. Well, I'm sure the new bomber that the Air Force wants will only cost

a trillion at first, but with cost overruns, it'll be closer to $3 trillion. I'm talking the program, not per plane, but with the MIC, you never know.