Preparing the Air Force for the flight of century-old bombers

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. is where a B-52H Stratofortress called the Red Gremlin II is stationed. As the Air Force’s B-52 fleet ages, problems with malfunctioning or broken parts in the bombers become increasingly common. Despite difficulties, these planes have been an integral part of the Air Force for the past sixty years, participating in important conflicts such as the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. As the B-52 reaches ages surpassing its original design expectations, the Air Force is preparing to overhaul the fleet and integrate new planes in the 2030s. This 48.6 billion dollar upgrade will involve replacing engines, improving communication systems, and installing new avionics. The revamped B-52J would operate alongside a fleet of B-21s in a vast, integrated force. The B-52J would be able to conduct a variety of missions and target various enemies and adversaries. There are plans to replace some of B-52’s older systems with more modern ones, featuring engines made by Rolls-Royce and using hypersonic weapons. As the Air Force looks to modernize its bomber fleet, the US Air Force is offering upgrades to older B-52 Stratofortresses that allow these planes to remain operational until 2060.