B-52 Stratofortress News
2018
12 February 2018 | Flight Global
USAF plans to consolidate bomber fleet to B-21 and B-52
The US Air Force has confirmed plans to re-engine the Boeing B-52H fleet and retire the Northrop Grumman B-2 and the Rockwell B-1 as Northrop s next-generation B-21 stealth bomber ramps up deliveries.
2016
1 September 2016 | Flight Global
Resurrected B-52H returns to flight after seven years in storage
A US Air Force Boeing B-52H is back in flight after spending eight years parked in storage in the Arizona desert. The regenerated Stratofortress, nicknamed Ghostrider, completed first flight on 30 August at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, rising into the sky without a painted livery. The air force will use Ghostrider to replace another B-52H severely damaged by fire in 2014, restoring the strategic bomber fleet to approved levels. The air force maintains of fleet of 58 B-52s in the active duty force and 18 more in reserve units.
18 May 2016 | DefenseNews.com
Air Force B-52 Crashes in Guam, Crew Bails To Safety
A B-52H Stratofortress crashed around 8:30 a.m. on Andersen Air Force Base's flight line, the base's public affairs office has confirmed. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
18 February 2016 | Flight Global
Boeing B-52H gets new radar under $500M modernisation plan
The US Air Force wants to spend more than $500 million replacing the outdated Northrop Grumman AN/APQ-166 mechanically scanned array radar on its 53-year-old Boeing B-52H fleet.
2015
22 September 2015 | Flight Global
USAF stripping 30 B-52Hs of nuclear weapons capability
As US Air Force Global Strike Command anticipates the introduction of the nuclear-capable Long-Range Strike Bomber in the mid-2020s, the command is de-arming its air-launched cruise missile-carrying Boeing B-52 bombers to comply with New START treaty limits with Russia.
21 January 2015 | Boeing
Boeing Modernizes B-52 Bomber Weapons Bay Launcher
Upgrade increases B-52 weapons capacity and flexibility; first prototype successfully installed
2014
3 October 2014 | Flight Global
US Air Force again seeks to upgrade B-52H radars
The US Air Force is breathing new life into an effort to upgrade the radar systems in its fleet of Boeing B-52H bombers initially announced four years ago.
30 September 2014 | ACC
AFGSC provides deterrence for the modern era
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The Air Force recently demonstrated its nuclear deterrence and power projection capabilities through a coordinated display of strategic combat power. Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen -- responsible for two legs of the nation's nuclear triad -- conducted the demonstrations, which included participation in a large combined forces exercise in the Pacific, a nuclear-capable cruise missile weapon system evaluation over the Utah Test and Training Range, and an ICBM operational test launch from Vandenberg AFB, California.
4 June 2014 | DefenseNews.com
US Deploying B-52s to Europe
The US Air Force plans to temporarily deploy heavy bombers capable of delivering nuclear weapons to Europe one day after President Obama announced he would increase the US military presence in the region. Two B-52 Stratofortresses bombers from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, and one B-52 from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota — currently operating from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota — arrived at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, on Wednesday, where airmen will train and integrate with US and allied military forces in the region, the Air Force said in a news release.
2013
22 December 2013 | USAF News
Final B-52G eliminated under New START
One rescue saw, two qualified technicians and less than 45 minutes later, the final B-52G Stratofortress accountable under the New START Treaty was eliminated Dec. 19 at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, commonly referred to as "The Boneyard," Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
27 November 2013 | Defense-Aerospace
US B-52s Defy Chinese Air Defense Zone
PENTAGON --- The U.S. military has made clear its position on China's new aviation restricted zone by flying two bombers through the area. China recently restricted air space in part of the East China Sea to assert its claim over a group of disputed islands. Beijing had warned U.S. aircraft to c...
6 November 2013 | Boeing
New Boeing B-52 Upgrade to Increase Smart Weapons Capacity by Half
Under the $24.6 million agreement, Boeing will develop a modification to existing weapon launchers so the aircraft can carry smart weapons in the bomb bay, allowing aircrews to use the B-52’s entire weapons capacity.
25 July 2013 | Lockheed Martin
Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod Achieves Operational Flight Status on B-52
Orlando, Fla., July 25, 2013 – Lockheed Martin’s Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) has achieved operational flight status on the B-52 bomber.
28 June 2013 | USAF News
B-52s to receive communications upgrade
Installation of a communications system upgrade earmarked for the venerable U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber fleet is scheduled to start here in July. The Combat Network Communications Technology system will enable aircrews to send and receive information via satellite links, allowing them to change mission plans and retarget weapons while in flight. In addition, pilots will be able to interact better with other aircraft and with ground forces. Currently, mission information must be uploaded to a B-52 before each flight.more...
7 May 2013 | Boeing
Boeing Brings B-52 into Digital Age with Significant Communications Upgrade
Enables in-flight task changing and weapons retargeting
2012
26 October 2012 | Boeing
Youngest Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Achieves 50 Years of Service
Boeing today marks 50 years since the company delivered its last B-52 Stratofortress to the U.S. Air Force. H-model bomber 61-040 was assigned to Minot Air Force Base, N.D., where it remains in active service.
12 April 2012 | Defense-Aerospace
USAF Testing New Countermeasures for F-16, B-52
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --- The U.S. Air Force is currently testing and incorporating new armaments to be used by the B-52H Stratofortress and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The new armaments are Miniature Air Launch Decoys and Miniature Air Launch Decoy Jammers. MALDs are small jet powered decoys used to mislead radars and deceive enemy combatants. ...
2011
12 December 2011 | Boeing
Boeing B-52 CONECT System Completes Flight Test Milestone
Boeing announced completion of all flight testing needed for the B-52 Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT) program.
2010
30 September 2010 | Key.Aero
B-52 soldiers on
Boeing has been awarded an $11.9 billion contract to support the B-52H.
2007
22 May 2007 | MILAVIA News
Boeing to Upgrade USAF B-52s
Boeing has been awarded a $30 million U.S. Air Force contract to upgrade the B-52 fleet's Integrated Weapons Interface Units (IWIU), providing flight crews with enhanced smart weapon visibility and control.
2006
28 June 2006 | MILAVIA News
Boeing awarded B-52H SWING contract
On June 28th, 2006, Boeing was awarded a U.S. Air Force contract worth up to USD 150 million to support new weapons integration efforts on the B-52H bomber.
2005
29 June 2005 | MILAVIA News
50th anniversary for the B-52
Fifty years ago on June 29, 1955, the first B-52 was delivered to the 4017th Combat Crew Training Squadron of the 93rd Bomb Wing at Caste AFB, Calif.
Back to Index
