The B 52. Still In Production? — Military Forum

Sponsor Message:


My Starred Topics \| Profile \| New Topic \| Forum Index \| Help \| Search

The B 52. Still In Production?

United Airline From Hong Kong, joined Jan 2001, 8541 posts, RR: 21
Posted (11 years 2 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 2464 times:

There are still AWFUL LOT of B 52s around. However, are they still in production? From what I have heard, they are still making newer versions of it.

Any idea? Smile

13 replies: All unread, jump to last

LY744 From Canada, joined Feb 2001, 5536 posts, RR: 13
Reply 1, posted (11 years 2 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 2330 times:

No. There are only 95 B-52's in service with the USAF. The newest version is the B-52H, any new versions will be upgrades to existing B-52's.

LY744.

Pacifism only works if EVERYBODY practices it

Tomh From United States of America, joined May 1999, 960 posts, RR: 3
Reply 2, posted (11 years 2 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 2317 times:

The B-52Hs were manufactured in 1960-61. Much updating and rework has happened since then, of course.
TomH

Fightingfalcon From Switzerland, joined Feb 2001, 787 posts, RR: 1
Reply 3, posted (11 years 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2304 times:

Click for large version

Photo © Andy Martin

That's how the most B-52's ended up and probably the remaining will end up, too. (Except the few ones going into museums)

Martin

Imprezas rule!!

FDXmech From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 3251 posts, RR: 44
Reply 4, posted (11 years 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2309 times:

The first production B52 rolled out of the factory in 1954. The production lasted until 1962. 744 were built.

You're only as good as your last departure.

Galaxy5 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 2034 posts, RR: 32
Reply 5, posted (11 years 2 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 2295 times:

the h-models are still around and are not even old really most only have like 7000-11000 hrs on them and are good from what ive heard until the year 2040 when the airforce plans to retire them. they will more than likely be around after the B-1 is done and gone.

"damn, I didnt know prince could Ball like that" - Charlie Murphy

CX747 From United States of America, joined May 1999, 4365 posts, RR: 6
Reply 6, posted (11 years 2 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 2293 times:

B-52's were produced in large numbers from the late 50's to late 60s. They are no longer produced. The B-52H still forms the backbone of the USAF's bomber fleet. At last count there were 85 airframes still going strong. For the most part, they no longer the U.S.A.F.'s nuclear attack aircraft. That duty has been taken over by the B-2 bombers. The B-52's are mostly used to launch Cruise missiles and do straight "bombing" missions. B-52G's were the main workhorse during Desert Storm and dropped over 50% of the munitions. The G model though was retired after Desert Storm. B-52H's have taken part in many post-Desert Storm strikes against Iraq. Their latest combat use was in Operation Allied Force when 11 B-52s from 11th, 20th, 23rd and 96th Bomber Squadrons were based at RAF Fairford. They undertook daily missions against the Serbian forces launching ALCMs and TLAMs.

"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." D. Eisenhower

TEDSKI From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR:
Reply 7, posted (11 years 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 2285 times:

There is talk of possibly re-engining the B-52H with four license built Rolls Royce RB211 engines from Allison replacing the eight P&W TF33 turbofan engines.

Braniff747 From United States of America, joined Apr 2001, 107 posts, RR: 0
Reply 8, posted (11 years 2 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 2267 times:

This was posted by Jane's today:

UPGRADE OVERVIEW: USAF plans B-52 upgrades into the distant future.
The US Air Force currently plans to keep at least 62 of its Boeing B-52
Stratofortress bombers operational until the 2038-2044 timeframe. David C
Isby looks at the plans that will bring the USAF into 'uncharted waters'
when it comes to prolonging the life of a jet combat aircraft.

DSMav8r From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 579 posts, RR: 9
Reply 9, posted (11 years 2 weeks 4 days ago) and read 2270 times:

The remaining B-52H's are flying out of Minot AFB, ND and Barksdale AFB, LA. Remaining proof that small and fast is not always best!

Click for large version

Photo © Aric Thalman

To most people, the sky is the limit. To those who love aviation, the sky is home

CX747 From United States of America, joined May 1999, 4365 posts, RR: 6
Reply 10, posted (11 years 2 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 2244 times:

There was talk 2-3 years ago of replacing the 8 engines that the Buff currently uses with 4 P&W powered replacements. They would have come in the same form as the P&W engines on commerical 757s.

"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." D. Eisenhower

TEDSKI From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR:
Reply 11, posted (11 years 1 week 20 hours ago) and read 2217 times:

The B-52H was to be re-engined with four engines, replacing the eight P&W TF-33 engines with the same type of Rolls Royce RB211 series engine that powers the 757. They were to be license built by Allison, the same company that made engines for the P-38, P-39, P-40, & C-130.

Jwenting From Netherlands, joined Apr 2001, 10213 posts, RR: 24
Reply 12, posted (11 years 1 week 14 hours ago) and read 2208 times:

Those reeingining plans were scrapped after the department of the AF discovered they had warehouses full of TF-33s leftover from all those C-135s and C-141s that are being scrapped (as well as spares for those).
They now have enough TF-33s to keep the BUFFs flying into retirement in 2040 or beyond.

I wish I were flying