B 52's to be around till at least 2040

[ozrocker]

The longest serving Combat A/C still in our Active A/F inventory gets a long life extention.

http://www.dodbuzz.com/2012/05/15/not-your-grandfathers-b-52/?ESRC=sm_DODBuzz.nl

Pretty awesome is that they want to use the B-52 to support Carrier TF Commanders in the A/O.

                                                                                                                                             Oz

[Slate]

  A lot of other good info on that site. 

  Is there any problem with structural fatige on the older airframes? Are they retrofitting or are they building brand new Craft with the New Gadjets?

[rpm]

Think how many spare parts we would have had if we hadn't chopped them up?

[Seanaldinho]

Think how many spare parts we would have had if we hadn't chopped them up?
(Image removed from quote.)

There are dozens more sitting untouched.

I know they have had some structural work done and they are inspected constantly for signs of fatigue because they are so old.

[PR3D4TOR]

I've wondered why they don't melt down those old jets? All that aluminum must be worth a fortune.

[Puma44]

I've wondered why they don't melt down those old jets? All that aluminum must be worth a fortune.

They do.  After they've been chopped and  positioned as depictated below for a specified time so the opposition satellites can verify destruction in accordance with the SALT treaty, they are sold off to scrape yards.

[PR3D4TOR]

Cool 

[ozrocker]

  A lot of other good info on that site. 

  Is there any problem with structural fatige on the older airframes? Are they retrofitting or are they building brand new Craft with the New Gadjets?

The last "Brand New" B52's rolled out of Seattle in 1962, the "H" model. So it's purely upgrades.

I'm sure structural & mechanical maintenance is often and thorough.
                                                                                                                              Oz

                                                                                                                                           
                                               

[Karnak]

I saw 2040 2042 put forth as the retirement date of the B-52s back in the 1990s.

Is this a new update?

[Jarski]

Why not Dale Brown mod..

[Ack-Ack]

Why not Dale Brown mod..

LOL!  I was thinking the same thing after reading the article and the proposed mods they want to add to the BUFF. 

ack-ack

[camnite]

good question, there has to be some turbofan engines that make more power than those j-79 pods. fibersteel also sounds like it might be a realistic and attainable mod for a few of the buffs also.

[AAJagerX]

Why not Dale Brown mod..

Nah, ya gotta go with the Vampire.   

[camnite]

Nah, ya gotta go with the Vampire.   

but if you say that you need the cheetah mod

[rpm]

Why not Dale Brown mod..

Man, am I glad I Googled that! I have some reading to do...