{"id":1732907,"date":"2022-11-10T06:30:30","date_gmt":"2022-11-10T11:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1732907"},"modified":"2022-11-10T07:18:46","modified_gmt":"2022-11-10T12:18:46","slug":"the-b-52-bomber-is-getting-some-big-updates-but-is-it-a-waste-of-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-b-52-bomber-is-getting-some-big-updates-but-is-it-a-waste-of-money\/","title":{"rendered":"The B-52 Bomber Is Getting Some Big Updates. But Is It a Waste of Money?"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fthe-b-52-bomber-is-getting-some-big-updates-but-is-it-a-waste-of-money%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1732907&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/B-52.jpg\" class=\"ff-og-image-inserted\" alt=\"image\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span>Just when you think the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2022\/10\/b-52-bomber-getting-too-old-for-upgrading\/\"><span>B-52<\/span><\/a><span> bomber has seen better days, Boeing drags you back in. The defense giant has released a computer-generated rendering of what an updated B-52 will look like once it gets its <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/our-first-look-at-what-fully-upgraded-b-52-bombers-will-look-like\"><span>new engines, the latest radar<\/span><\/a><span>, and undergoes other cosmetic changes. These upgrades are some of the most substantial modifications in decades, and they will keep the B-52 in service until at least 2050. The question remains whether it is wise to put so much effort into a bomber whose mission set might nevertheless be substantially constrained compared to the past.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p><b>Getting Nosy<\/b>\n<\/p>\n<p><span>The Stratofortress will have a new, sleek appearance. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rolls-royce.com\/products-and-services\/defence\/aerospace\/combat-jets\/f130.aspx\"><span>Rolls-Royce F130 turbofans<\/span><\/a><span> will propel this B-52 variant, which will be designated as the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2022\/10\/the-b-52j-or-b-52k-bomber-is-coming-soon\/\"><span>B-52J or B-52K<\/span><\/a><span>. The four engine pods will be larger, with each containing two F130 powerplants. The new engines will be more fuel-efficient, will have new digital controls, and will require less maintenance. The updated B-52 will also cost less to fly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p><span>Boeing went back to basics on the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.valiantaircommand.com\/b-52-nose\"><span>nose design<\/span><\/a><span>. The latest B-52 models will have a rounded nose, and no fairings will sit beneath the bomber\u2019s front. Those components previously housed the dated <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.northropgrumman.com\/what-we-do\/air\/electro-optical-and-infrared-sensors-eo-ir\/\"><span>Electro-Optical Viewing System<\/span><\/a><span>, with its forward-looking infrared apparatus and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalmuseum.af.mil\/Visit\/Museum-Exhibits\/Fact-Sheets\/Display\/Article\/579665\/general-electric-anasq-145-low-light-level-television-sensor-system\/\"><span>low-light-level television<\/span><\/a><span> system. This set-up was used to facilitate flight at lower altitudes and to conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Now the nose will contain modern <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.bliley.com\/understanding-aesa-radar-tech\"><span>active electronically scanned array<\/span><\/a><span> radars. This is the same sensor system used on the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2022\/05\/f-a-18-super-hornet-ready-to-serve-on-indias-new-aircraft-carrier\/\"><span>F\/A-18E\/F Super Hornet<\/span><\/a><span> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.navy.mil\/Resources\/Fact-Files\/Display-FactFiles\/Article\/2166036\/ea-18g-growler-airborne-electronic-attack-aircraft\/\"><span>EA-18G Growler<\/span><\/a><span>, so Air Force and Navy interoperability will be improved. The new radar will help with situational awareness and longer-range target detection. Electronic warfare capabilities inherent in the system allow for jamming and other countermeasures.\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p><b>What About Changes to Aerial Combat?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>This is one of the biggest upgrade programs in the B-52\u2019s history, and the changes are welcome. The old <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/prattwhitney.com\/products-and-services\/products\/military-engines\/tf33\"><span>Pratt &#038; Whitney TF-33<\/span><\/a><span> engines have powered the B-52 since 1962, and the new radar is a long-awaited addition.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p><span>Times have changed, though, and the B-52 probably won\u2019t run the same kinds of missions it flew over Vietnam. Gone are the days when <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.afhistory.af.mil\/FAQs\/Fact-Sheets\/Article\/458962\/1965-operation-arc-light\/\"><span>Operation Arc Light<\/span><\/a><span> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.afhistory.af.mil\/FAQs\/Fact-Sheets\/Article\/458990\/1972-operation-linebacker-i\/\"><span>Operation Linebacker<\/span><\/a><span> dropped tons of bombs over North Vietnam. The B-52 is obviously not a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2022\/11\/russias-pak-da-stealth-bomber-will-never-fly-u-s-defense-officials\/\">stealth aircraft<\/a>, and it would make a juicy target for newer surface-to-air missile systems such as the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/missilethreat.csis.org\/defsys\/s-400-triumf\/\"><span>S-400 Triumf<\/span><\/a><span>. Even in the skies, China and Russia have new fighters with stealth characteristics that could sneak into the B-52\u2019s flight path to intercept it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>That means the B-52, even with all these upgrades, will be forced to take on a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2021\/12\/b-1b-lancer-the-old-missile-truck-bomber-that-just-wont-die\/\"><span>missile truck<\/span><\/a><span> role \u2013 it will fire cruise missiles from a distance, rather than spending ample time over the target and dropping bombs. Its mission set could expand in situations where the Air Force and Navy entirely suppress enemy air defenses and establish air superiority. But future combat in Europe or the Indo-Pacific will differ from the global war on terror, and air superiority is not guaranteed. Serving as a missile truck is not a bad mission for the Stratofortress, and it gets even better if the jet can one day launch hypersonics. The B-52 is just a more limited airframe now. And I wonder if the money used for upgrades could have gone to a different bomber program, such as the new <\/span><span>stealth <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2022\/11\/stealth-bomber-faceoff-americas-b-21-raider-vs-russias-pak-da\/\">B-21<\/a><\/span><span>.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p><b>Can the \u2018Big Ugly Fat Fella\u2019 Survive?<\/b>\n<\/p>\n<p><span>All told, it remains to be seen how survivable this version of the B-52 will be in a potential conflict with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2022\/11\/russias-kherson-defeat-the-end-of-putins-regime\/\">Russia<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2022\/11\/the-u-s-military-is-in-decline-while-china-grows-more-powerful\/\">China<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2022\/11\/how-does-north-korea-have-underground-air-bases\/\">North Korea<\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2022\/11\/iran-could-make-javelin-missiles-nlaws-and-stinger-missiles-thanks-to-russia\/\">Iran<\/a>. The Air Force can still use the B-52 for a show of force, and the bombers have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2016\/01\/10\/us\/b-52-south-korea\"><span>flown over North Korea<\/span><\/a><span> before to send a message to Kim Jong Un. But such appearances may be rare in the coming decades. Launching stand-off missiles may be the B-52\u2019s primary mission, and the Air Force may be just fine with that.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p><b><i>Expert Biography:<\/i><\/b><i><span> Serving as 1945\u2019s Defense and National Security Editor, Dr. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/brenteastwood.com\/\"><i><span>Brent M. Eastwood<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span>\u00a0is the author of <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Humans-Machines-Data-Future-Warfare\/dp\/B091F5SK19\/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&#038;keywords=brent+m.+eastwood&#038;qid=1632871186&#038;s=books&#038;sr=1-1\"><i><span>Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span>. He is an Emerging Threats expert and former U.S. Army Infantry officer. You can follow him on Twitter <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BMEastwood\"><i><span>@BMEastwood<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span>. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and Foreign Policy\/ International Relations.<\/span><\/i>\n<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>Want more 19FortyFive military, politics, and economics analysis from the best experts on Earth? Follow us on <a href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMNX7nwsw4oW4Aw?ceid=US:en&#038;oc=3\">Google News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/flipboard.com\/@19FortyFive\">Flipboard<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCMOn5KL4BMFKilOwiB1S1gw\/featured\">YouTube<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/19FortyFive\/\">Facebook<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/19_forty_five\">Twitter<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/19fortyfive\">Linkedin<\/a>. Also, sign up for our newsletter <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2022\/08\/19fortyfives-newsletter-sign-up-form\/\">here<\/a>. You can also find our code of publishing ethics and standards <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/editorial-guidelines\/\">here<\/a>. Want to contact us? Email: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#9bd9feeff3dbaaa2ddf4e9efe2ddf2edfeb5f8f4f6\"><span class=\"__cf_email__\" data-cfemail=\"d290b7a6ba92e3eb94bda0a6ab94bba4b7fcb1bdbf\">[email\u00a0protected]<\/span><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Just when you think the B-52 bomber has seen better days, Boeing drags you back in. The defense giant has released a computer-generated rendering of what an updated B-52 will<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1732910,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[547],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1732907","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-bongino-report"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1732907","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1732907"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1732907\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1732910"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1732907"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1732907"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1732907"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}