USAF to return mothballed B-52 bomber to active service

[Saifullah Sani]

Aircraft 61-0007 has been selected to be taken out of mothballs at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AFB) in Arizona and will be returned to active service by mid-2016. Source: US Air Force

The US Air Force (USAF) is returning to service a Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber aircraft that had been mothballed in the 'boneyard' at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AFB) in Arizona, the service announced on 16 February.

The aircraft, serial number 61-0007, had been maintained by the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) in '1000-type storage', meaning that it is maintained in the highest state of preservation.

After six years in the boneyard, the air force decided it should be returned to active service so as to maintain its 76-strong B-52H fleet following a mishap at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana in 2014 that left a B-52 severely damaged.

Following repair and modification work, the aircraft will be returned to the active fleet in mid-2016.

USAF to return mothballed B-52 bomber to active service - IHS Jane's 360

 

[AMDR]

Thats good. Load them to the brim with standoff cruise missiles and turn them into missile trucks.

 

[C130]

Thats good. Load them to the brim with standoff cruise missiles and turn them into missile trucks.

i'd like to see some carpet bombing. a few runs by a B-52 over Raqqa would be nice.

shame Syrian air force doesn't have a few B-52s

 

[SipahSalar]

Likely to be used as Anti-ship missile platforms in East China sea.

 

[C130]

Likely to be used as Anti-ship missile platforms in East China sea.

I think that would be the job of the B-1.

 

[airmarshal]

The regenerated aircraft is a replacement for the damaged aircraft to keep the fleet strength to a stipulated number. Its not meant for another deployment or some other war theatre.

Likely to be used as Anti-ship missile platforms in East China sea.

 

[gambit]

The regenerated aircraft is a replacement for the damaged aircraft to keep the fleet strength to a stipulated number. Its not meant for another deployment or some other war theatre.

Do not underestimate US. But then again -- please do.

 

[IndoUS]

Man these things are beasts!!

 

[airmarshal]

Do not underestimate US. But then again -- please do.

Not underestimating but only putting it in context of the article quoted here.

 

[gambit]

Not underestimating but only putting it in context of the article quoted here.

If we can return THIS B-52 to flying condition, you can bet your first born that we can make it combat capable.

FUNCTIONAL CHECK FLIGHT

A functional check flight (FCF) determines whether an aircraft airframe, engine or engines,accessories, or equipment is functioning according to established standards while the aircraft operates in its intended environment. The flight is performed when it is not possible to determine proper operation by aground check.

This B-52 may not have its weapons system fully updated or even functional, but weapons are not needed for flight. The in-flight air refueling receptacle may not work, its hydraulics lines may be capped for future leak repairs, but in-flight refueling capability is not required for flight. The INS may not have a single electrical spark in it, but INS is not required for flight. The B-52 used to have a navigator with slide rule and compass.

Go to any squadron and there will always be a jet or more that is/are in various stages of maintenance issues that will remove it/them from the combat capable list. But if the jets can be rendered combat capable in some time then the squadron's fleet conforms to requirements.

 

[airmarshal]

If we can return THIS B-52 to flying condition, you can bet your first born that we can make it combat capable.

Who said you cant!! Thats why you have AMARG. There is no point of argument here. The article says one was badly damaged and it was decided to bring back an old plane from 'coma'.

 

[Penguin]

The B-52, one of the backbones of the U.S. Air Force for decades, has long been equipped to launch nuclear-armed weapons from its bay. The B-52’s recent internal weapons bay upgrade program transforms the weapons launcher in the bay so it can deploy GPS-guided “smart” bombs for the first time, and Boeing recently delivered prototypes of the new launcher ahead-of-schedule, allowing the U.S. Air Force to begin field testing. Boeing’s upgrade transforms the bay to a conventional launcher capable of carrying upwards of 50 percent more precision guided weapons, a capability that increases the B-52’s flexibility and versatility in supporting the warfighter in real time.
Military crews began field testing the new launcher prototypes at Edwards Air Force Base in December, while flight tests are scheduled for February. Once this phase of the weapons bay upgrade is complete, two additional phases will further increase the weapons capacity of the B-52.

Boeing: Upload Successful

The latest version of the aircraft, the B-52H, can carry as much as 70,000 pounds of mixed ordnance.

In 2013, Lockheed Martin's Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) achieved operational flight status on the B-52H. The pod provides pilots with high-resolution imagery for precision targeting and non-traditional ISR missions. Also, Northrop Grumman's AN/AAQ-28(V) LITENING targeting pod is operational on the B-52.

a total of 58 B-52H aircraft are in active service

Engineering analyses predict the B-52's life span to extend beyond the year 2040.

Among other types of ordnance, the aircraft can carry AGM-86C/D CALCM; 500-pound Mk 82 or 2,000-pound Mk 84 General Purpose Bombs as well as CBU-87/89/97, CBU-103/104/105 Wind-Corrected Munitions Dispensers (WCMD), and Paveway II Laser Guided Bombs. The B-52 also carries GBU-31/38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), and AGM-154 Joint Stand-Off Weapons (JSOW). Future weapons that will/may be fielded on the B-52, include the AGM-158B JASSM-ER and the massive GBU-57 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP).


The primary upgrade/modification in FY 2014 is the B-52 Combat Network Communication Technology (CONECT) acquisition program, which will support nuclear and conventional operations by upgrading the B-52 fleet with data link and voice communications capabilities along with improved threat and situational awareness to support participation in network centric operations.

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress | Info, B-52H, Budget/Costs, Specs

See also Boeing Receives Contract to Modernize B-52 with Digital Communications

Hardly just carpet bombing anymore...