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
