Air superiority is the key reason the U.S. Air Force B-52 has been successful over Iran, as the large, non-stealthy classic platform would face extreme challenges operating against advanced Russian or Chinese air defenses. And a newer version, the B-52J, is in the works. But more on that in a minute.
However, the historic bomber is not to be fully dismissed when considering a high-end fight, as it is increasingly armed with stand-off precision weaponry capable of holding enemy targets at risk at distances beyond the reach of advanced air defenses.
Multiple B-52H Stratofortresses sit parked at the flight line on Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Aug. 8, 2022. The B-52 bomber can carry approximately 70,000 pounds of bombs, mines and missiles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Alysa Knott)
The Iran war demonstrated the short and long-term utility of the B-52 as its mission envelope continues to expand rapidly, as new air-launched drones, networking, and laser weapons continue to progress.
The B-52J Won’t Be Deined
Moving into the future, the B-52 and new B-52J variant will launch drones, fire lasers, operate as a flying command and control hub, and function as a large “arsenal” plane able to deliver devastating strikes in areas where the U.S. has air superiority.
U.S. Central Command and multiple media reports say the B-52 was targeting command and control sites, ammunition depots, and possible troop locations within Iran.
The bomber can bring massive amounts of supporting firepower into areas where advanced, stealthy fighter jets and missiles have already destroyed air defense systems, creating a safer air “corridor” through which 4th-generation fighters and large platforms such as the B-52 can operate.
A B-52 Stratofortress with the 93rd Bomb Squadron out of Barksdale Air Force Base pulls close behind a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 914th Air Refueling Wing to be refueled over Missouri, USA, 15 Aug, 2022. Air Refueling offers rapid mobility to the joint forces around the globe. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Kylar Vermeulen)
B-52 to 2050 for Future War: Enter B-52J
Modernization is a key reason the B-52 remains relevant and on the cutting edge of bombing technology.
The most recent development regarding continued B-52 improvements concerns the well-known re-engining effort for the aircraft.
For many years now, the Air Force has been working with Boeing and Rolls-Royce to integrate a new, more powerful and efficient engine for the B-52. This is the idea for the B-52J variant.
And big progress on the B-52J just hit the news. Rolls-Royce reported months ago that the first phases of sea-level tests have also been completed, something which greatly helped solidify data analysis for the new engine.
According to Rolls-Royce, the recent testing was successful and helped validate the F130 engine’s dual-pod configuration.
A B-52 Stratofortress with the 307th Bomb Wing, Louisiana, flies toward the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker, with the 914th Air Refueling Wing, New York, July 9, 2022 over Southern United States. The KC-135 had spouses of the 307th Maintenance Group on board that were able to watch the refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tiffany A. Emery)
B-52 Networking
While some structural reinforcement has been performed on the airframe, the aircraft has received an entirely new suite of avionics, computing, command-and-control technology, and weapons configurations.
The improvements are multifaceted, including the addition of a modernized digital communications system known as Combat Network Communication Technology (CONECT).
Not only does CONECT accelerate and refine data transmission, management, collection, and storage, but it also helps the service advance tactics and concepts of operation for the modern B-52.
With CONECT, crews conducting operations can now receive in-flight intelligence and target updates that were previously unavailable.
Using what’s called an ARC 210 Warrior software-programmable voice-and-data radio, pilots using CONECT can now send and receive targeting data, mapping information, and intelligence with ground stations, command centers, and other aircraft.
A B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing, approaches a KC-10 Extender, assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refuel Squadron, while conducting a presence patrol mission with regional partner nation air forces within theU.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 8, 2022. The U.S. and its allies and partners are capable of collective response to instability promoted by adversaries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Sullivan)
B-52 Attack
The B-52 has also, in recent years, received a massive internal weapons bay upgrade, which has completely changed its bomb-carrying and attack capacity.
The 1760 Internal Weapons Bay Upgrade, or IWBU, will allow the B-52 to internally carry up to eight of the newest “J-Series” bombs in addition to carrying six on pylons under each wing.
The B-52 has previously been able to carry JDAM weapons externally, but with the IWBU, the aircraft will be able to internally house some of the most cutting-edge precision-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions and Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles, among others.
Additional weapons upgrades are impacting the tactical approach fundamental to the B-52, evolving what began as an “area-weapon” into a platform capable of much more advanced precision, long-range attacks.
As an area-attack platform, the B-52 has historically been able to drop massive amounts of “unguided” area bombs to blanket an enemy area with attack and also enable ground forces to maneuver into improved formations.
New B-52 Nuclear Weapons
The B-52 is expected to receive the emerging nuclear-capable Long Range Stand-Off missile, which greatly increases the range and attack options for the B-52, moving beyond its legacy Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM).
The B-52, which has been nuclear-capable for decades, has also been considered as an “arsenal plane” or massive “bomb truck” capable of transporting munitions in support of attack missions and potentially even launching drones.
The B-52 has a massive 185-foot wingspan, weighs about 185,000 pounds, and can reach high subsonic speeds and altitudes of 50,000 feet. And the B-52J means this old bomber will keep improving over the years.
About the Author: Kris Osborn
Kris Osborn is the Military Technology Editor of 19FortyFive. Osborn is also President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a highly qualified expert in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University
