B-52
The B-52 Stratofortress provides a large-scale global
projection of conventional air power. The full spectrum of
conventional weapons can be delivered anywhere in the world
against enemy targets and defenses with great precision. No other
weapons systems offer the flexibility and versatility of the
B-52. It is an important national defense resource that stands
ready to accept new weapons, tactics and missions with a
continued capacity for growth. The Boeing B-52, also known as the
Stratofortress, soon will enter its fifth decade of operational
service. It continues to be an important element of the U.S. Air
Force bomber fleet. Because the B-52 has been kept up-to-date
with numerous improvements over the years, it is referred to as
the bomber that is "not getting older, just getting
better." No bomber in U.S. military history has been called
upon to remain operational for the length of time expected of the
B-52.
Status of B-52H Model
The latest model, the B-52H, has almost the same external
appearance of earlier models; however, it is substantially
different. Some of the major advancement include:
Increased range made possible with more powerful Pratt &
Whitney TF-33 turbofan engines;
More refined electronic defense and offensive systems;
Extreme low-altitude capabilities.
Boeing has made major modifications to the B-52H since it entered
service, and expects to perform additional improvements into the
future — assuring the bomber will be a viable part of the fleet
well into the next century.
Upgrades since the early 1980s have included many new and
improved systems: offensive avionics, environmental control, fuel
quantity, auto pilot, radar, enhanced electronic countermeasures
and conventional air-launched cruise missiles (CALCM).
B-52s in today's fleet are equipped to carry the Short-Range
Attack Mssile (SRAM) and Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM). SRAM
is a supersonic air ground missile with nuclear capability. It
can follow either high- or low-altitude flight paths in striking
designated targets. The combination of the Stratofortress and
missiles provides an elusive launching pad — capable of
dropping its weapons from nearly 10 miles in the sky or at low
levels.
Current Boeing Involvement
Earlier this year, Boeing delivered an unsolicited proposal to
re-engine the 94 remaining Boeing B-52H Stratofortress bombers to
the U.S.Air Force Air Logistics Center at TinkerAir Force Base,
Okla. Delivery of the proposal culminates a year-long feasibility
study. In response to government challenges for acquisition
reform, the proposal includes some cutting-edge innovations such
as the use of engines currently found on commercial jetliners, a
long-term lease arrangement in lieu of the more traditional
outright purchase of the engines, and the use of commercial
rather than military maintenance support.
Boeing would replace the bomber's eight TF-33 turbofan jet
engines with four RB-211-535 propulsion systems, provided by
Allison Engine Company of Indianapolis, Ind. The RB-211-535 has
been selected by more than 80 percent of the world's Boeing 757
operators and has been in service for more than a decade. If
accepted, the proposal calls for the engines, related-accessory
equipment and long-term maintenance support to be provided by
Allison. Boeing selected the RB-211 through a competitive analyst
of major commercial engine manufacturers.
Management of the re-engining program will be performed by Boeing
in Wichita, Kan. In addition to the actual aircraft modifications
and engine installations, Boeing also will manage fabrication of
necessary hardware at Boeing locations in Tennessee, Texas and
Washington.
In making the proposal, Boeing noted that with the B-52 fleet
scheduled to remain in the Air Force inventory for the next
quarter century, the lease of commercial, off-the-shelf engines
and related equipment will, by conservative estimates, save the
Air Force and the American taxpayers about $6 billion in
operation and support costs over the remaining life of the
aircraft, or $200 million a year. Potential value of the proposal
to Boeing is about $1.3 billion.
Boeing currently is working on a Conventional Mission Upgrade
Program that involves transferring the conventional weapon
capability from the B-52G to the B-52H. The modification provides
the capability to accommodate HAVE NAP and Harpoon missiles and
the universal bomb bay adapter, as well as integrated
conventional stores management and global positioning systems.
Boeing has completed a production program for the Common
Strategic Rotary Launcher (CSRL). The units are installed on the
B-52H. The CSRL is designed to carry SRAM and ALCM, as well as
gravity nuclear weapons.
Bomber Characteristics
The B-52's eight turbo-fan engines are mounted in pairs on
sharply raked forward pods under the 185-foot wing. Its
operational range with one air refueling is 7,500 nautical miles.
The main landing gear units retract into wheel wells in the body.
The gear has eight main wheels in double tandem and two small
protection wheels at the wing tip. Retracted, the main wheels are
housed two-each in four fuselage wheel wells, while the outrigger
gears go up into the wing.
B-52 striking power can be either nuclear or conventional.
Depending on the external conventional configuration, a load of
45 or 51, 500-pound bombs can be carried 18 or 24 on external
wing pylons and 27 in the bomb bay. Or 20 air-to-surface nuclear
missiles may be carried, internally and externally. A
conventional weapons load totaling more than 50,000 pounds can be
carried.