The Air Force has had one constant in the past 70+ years, the B-52 bomber.
The B-52J is a proposed upgrade to the B-52 Stratofortress, aiming to extend its service life well into the 2050s with new engines, advanced radar, and updated avionics.
That would put the iconic bomber’s age at the century mark.
The B-52J bomber is a subject of ongoing debate, with some arguing for its continued service and modernization, while others question its long-term value and strategic relevance.
It is costly, and with the modern B-21 Raider set to come online, they argue that the money would be better spent on the Raider.
B-52J Bomber: Over Budget And Late
Like many US military programs, the B-52J is over budget and late…three years late. However, the upgrade program aims to modernize the iconic U.S. Air Force bomber with new Rolls-Royce F130 engines and advanced AESA radars.
Boeing is the prime contractor for performing the integration work on the B-52, which includes a comprehensive list of other modifications to these aircraft, in addition to the engines. Once these bombers have been retrofitted with this extensive set of onboard systems upgrades, they can remain in service into the 2050s.
After the refit and re-engining are completed, these B-52H models will be redesignated as B-52Js. The B-52Hs were the last of the aircraft’s production history, with the last H models coming off the Boeing assembly line in 1962.
The B-52J will receive a new radar system straight from the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet and be upgraded with many new and improved weapons.
B-52J’s Weapons and Armament:
The B-52J is expected to be a versatile platform capable of carrying a wide range of weapons, from gravity bombs to cruise and hypersonic missiles. In total, the B-52J will carry 35 tons of bombs, missiles, etc.
The B-52 Is An Old Aircraft:
During Ronald Reagan’s first presidential campaign in 1980, then-Sen. Barry Goldwater said the B-52 “was so old that I think some of them fought with Custer”, referring to the Battle of Little Bighorn, also known as Custer’s Last Stand. Goldwater’s quip was made 45 years ago.
But even with the more modern B-1 and B-2 stealth bombers that have come into service and then been retired or soon will be, the B-52’s heart beats on. The B-52 remains a superb conventional and nuclear bomber through numerous upgrades and models.
The Bomber Force, Both Old And New:
Once the B-21 Raider and B-52J are in full production, the US bomber fleet will number around 200, with more than 100 B-21s and the remainder B-52Js, which will enlarge the force.
According to Gen. Thomas Bussiere, the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) commander, the bomber force currently stands at about 141.
But one intriguing possibility for the B-52J is for it to be deployed with the Air Force’s newest aircraft, the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 465th Air Refueling Squadron assigned to Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, refuels a B-52 Stratofortress from the 96th Bomb Squadron assigned to Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, during a cross country mission 13 Sept 2021. The sortie enabled the B-52’s dynamic and close air support mission in support of Special Operations Attack Course qualification. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Mary Begy)
“It is the ability of the B-52 to carry such large payload that can put these unmanned systems into the middle of the fight that makes a difference and will provide more justification for the cost of the upgrade,” said a US air power specialist who spoke to 19FortyFive’s Reuben Johnson.
“It will make the ‘long arm’ of the B-52 even longer.”
Will the B-52J Be Obsolete When It Arrives?
Because of all the technological issues the aircraft has had to deal with and the ongoing delays, one must wonder if it will become operational in 2033 (not a sure thing), it will already be obsolete.
The estimated $2.56 billion investment in the B-52J upgrades diverts resources from developing and procuring next-generation platforms like the B-21 Raider.
As adversaries advance their air defense capabilities, the need for stealthier and more survivable bombers becomes increasingly critical.
The B-52 would not survive against dedicated air defenses of a near-peer adversary.
Many argue that the focus should be on accelerating the deployment of these next-generation systems rather than sinking money into a nearly 80-year-old platform.
Wouldn’t the money be better spent on more B-21s?
The B-52 is a tried and proven aircraft, the longest-serving aircraft in the US inventory for a reason. However, the Air Force has to prepare for future combat by looking forward, not backward.
About the Author:
Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications
Deadduck
May 3, 2025 at 10:25 pm
This old 52 driver from ’80s says put J money into all Raider’s, man
Mike
May 4, 2025 at 1:52 am
😂😂😂 sure
Jim
May 4, 2025 at 9:42 am
The $2.56 billion estimated cost compared to the overall defense budget is reasonable.
How much does the above amount if applied to the B-21 raider program add to numbers of bombers delivered and/or speed of first delivery?
Is the B-52 obsolete?
Yes and no. As peer-competitor striking deep into Russian (or Chinese) territory it probably is obsolete.
But for other operations it would be serviceable. Most probably as a stand-off platform launching cruise missiles or dropping JDAM glide bombs from outside the reach of surface to air missiles or potentially fighter aircraft.
The B-52 would not do well in a highly contested airspace.
Number of units able to fly at any given moment is important and extending the life of B-52 helps do that.
Given the huge expense to put new bombers in the air versus a much lower expense of keeping and maintaining existing aircraft, it seems reasonable to keep the B-52 serviceable for another stretch of time.
Numbers matter in military calculations.
Having various options available in military tactics & strategy matters, keeping the B-52 in inventory helps in that regard for a price tag of $2.56 billion.
Given how expensive each unit is of new aircraft, this option seems to be worth it in terms of “bang for the buck.”
Give me more “bang for the buck” and give me more numbers of serviceable and flying air-frames.
A rusty, old, gun (as long as it fires) is better than no gun at all.
Shyne
May 4, 2025 at 11:29 am
What ever US do won’t compete with China . US is a declining empire. Won’t be relevant in 30 years
Krystal cane
May 4, 2025 at 3:22 pm
Is it we have a mindless dictator for a leader and a complete drunk fool who chats over open text messages as a secretary of defense is that the message?
No
May 4, 2025 at 4:04 pm
Ferk stealth. Fly high and mount lasers to take out anything that can still get up to you. Then drop drones and smart munitions until your finger gets tired.
James
May 4, 2025 at 5:34 pm
Even with our tremendous defense budget, we can’t have a full Gen 6 stealth Air Force, nor do we need one. There is a place for more conventional aircraft like the B52s. And it’s not like they’re falling out of the skies due to old age. They are still reliable and constantly being upgraded. Sometimes dropping a whole bunch of cheap iron bombs on your enemy will do the trick
Les
May 4, 2025 at 9:30 pm
Hmmm …100 upgraded B52s or about 3 additional B21s? I’m not an expert but I’ll take the hundred B52s please.
Patrick Gleason
May 5, 2025 at 12:43 am
The B 52 is made of metal. Replaceable, repairable metal. New “stealthy” faster, complex aircraft are made of composites with speacial paint coatings. Expensive to repair, and replace. What happens to composite wings when they fatigue? You bury them. We can also talk about computer sensors and computers flying the aircraft because humans can’t react fast enough. Many are the aircraft both civilian and military that have crashed due to computer malfunction. By the time the B 21 and F 47 are active duty our enemies will have developed their air defenses to combat them. Just like when the B 52’s and B1’s changed to low level ingress and egress. Just my two cents.