Table of Contents
- The B-52 Stratofortress is a legendary bomber that has been in service with the US Air Force since 1955.
- As of early 2024, 72 B-52H aircraft remain in service, making them the only type still in service.
- Continued improvements, such as the new Rolls-Royce engine, mean the B-52 will likely continue to fly well into the 2050s.
Since the 1950s, the US Air Force has made significant use of the eight-engine Boeing B-52 Stratofortress heavy bomber as an important component of its fleet. The earliest aircraft entered service in 1955, although most aircraft in use today date from 1961 and 1962. In 2050, this same aircraft may still be in service, if significant modifications continue.
The B-52 Stratofortress
After the Second World War, the B-52 Stratofortress was designed to be a long-range strategic bomber that could operate anywhere in the world without using foreign bases.
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In April 1952, it made its first flight as a Boeing B-52A. A better turbofan engine was quickly added to this first version, which was replaced by the B-52B. He entered the US Air Force in June 1955.
Since then, this type has been used with many improvements and new variations. Active duty in wars such as the Vietnam War, the Gulf War in the 1990s, and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001 have all witnessed it.
The B-52H is still in service today
The B-52H variant is the only variant currently in use by the US Air Force. The first B-52H was delivered in 1961, so the movement through the types happened very quickly. It was fitted with a more powerful Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3 turbofan engine. Since then, many improvements have been made, mainly to avionics, electronics and weaponry.
By late 1962, 102 units of this last type had been produced. According to FlightGlobal’s World Air Force 2024 report, 72 B-52H aircraft were still in service as of early 2024. The following three squadrons are in charge of these aircraft:
- 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, North Dakota
- Barksdale AFB, Louisiana is home to the 2nd Bomb Wing’s 307th
- Bomb Branch of the Air Force Reserve Command.
See our guide to the USAF B-52 fleet here
Since this version was only produced from 1961 to October 1962, all aircraft now in service are between 62 and 63 years old.
Although the US Air Force does not provide all information about aviation history, the oldest aircraft are naturally the first to be produced. Boeing supplied two batches of B-52Hs: the first batch had serial numbers from 60-0001 to 60-0062, while the second batch had serial numbers from 61-0001 to 61-0040.
We called this first aircraft, 60-0001, Memphis Belle IV. The sky was last observed by Flightradar24 in December 2023, indicating that it is likely still in use today.
Not going anywhere for some time
The B-52 has many years left in it, even with its amazing age, and it is estimated that the type will remain in service at least into the 2050s. It is uncertain whether they will survive into their 2060s and serve for 100 years.
In order to keep this aircraft in service for a long time, further improvements are being made. New Rolls-Royce engines, better avionics, radar, communications, weapons and cockpits are all part of this (of course, many details are under wraps). Rolls-Royce engines installed in upgraded B-52J bombers guarantee successful operations until 2050.
With this most recent update, a new variant will eventually be available; The aircraft, equipped with Rolls-Royce F130 engines, will now be designated the B-52J. The first engines since 1960, the new engines will save on ongoing maintenance costs while increasing performance and efficiency.
READ | Once, for 5 hours, the B-52H Stratofortress flew but it had no tail!