The B-52 Is Becoming A Terrifyingly Intelligent Smart Weapons Truck

Foxtrot Alpha Jalopnik ^ | January 16, 2015 | Tyler Rogoway

[lbryce]

The B-52 has only been able to carry smart weapons on its external pylons, with its internal weapons bay being relegated to nuclear and dumb bombs, as well as some older cruise missiles. Now, the iconic 60 year old Stratofortress is finally getting a new 'smart' rotary weapons rack and other upgrades that will more than double its smart weapons punch.

You could say that the B-52's empty weapons bay has been the most under-utilized real estate in the entire USAF. Even as the B-52's utility morphed over the decades (from a nuclear interdiction option, to a carpet bomber, to a nuclear cruise missile carrier, to a conventional cruise missile carrier, to a smart bomb lobber, to a precision close air support platform) the big bomber's cavernous belly has become more and more of an empty afterthought.

[Joe 6-pack]

Reports of the Buff's obsolescence have always been premature...per Wikipedia:

On 19 February 1965, General Curtis E. LeMay testified to Congress that the lack of a follow-up bomber project to the B-52 raised the danger that, "The B-52 is going to fall apart on us before we can get a replacement for it."

[doc1019]

I hate to fly. But I would love to catch a ride in one of these magnificent airplanes.

[Chode]

the Old Dog still learning new tricks...

[motor_racer]

There can’t be but a hundred or so BUFF’s left in the inventory. Does anybody have a count?

[GeronL]

bump

[Bobalu]

- One forty-five caliber automatic
- Two boxes of ammunition
- Four days' concentrated emergency rations
- One drug issue containing antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizer pills
- One miniature combination Russian phrase book and Bible
- One hundred dollars in rubles
- One hundred dollars in gold
- Nine packs of chewing gum
- One issue of prophylactics
- Three lipsticks
- Three pair of nylon stockings.

[ConorMacNessa]

Many fond memories of the B-52 - from the time I was building plastic models of it in my boyhood to the time my outfit had to make a night move to get a safe distance from an Arc Lighting - to the time I made a balsa wood model of a Buff for my young son.

Still flying, still hitting the target after a half century of service - and into the future! You're not getting older, you're just getting better!

JJ - ping to your lists, if you please.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[JRandomFreeper]

B-52 were flying the day I was born.

I expect that one will be flying the day they lay me to rest.

/johnny

[Shadow44]

I read an article once saying this one airman rode on the same B-52 his father did in Vietnam.

And to think they’ll be going until 2040!

[Jet Jaguar]

I’d be happy to do it.

[McCloud-Strife]

As of 2013 according to Forbes

76 B-52s
63 B-1s
20 B-2s

[Jet Jaguar]

Active Duty/Retiree ping.

[Joe 6-pack]

My dad entered the USAF the same year as the B-52. He’ll be 83 in July...

[smokingfrog]

Got Bombs?

[Joe 6-pack]

"I read an article once saying this one airman rode on the same B-52 his father did in Vietnam."

IIRC, I remember reading that story during Desert Storm.

Grandson is probably flying the thing now.

[hoagy62]

There can’t be but a hundred or so BUFF’s left in the inventory. Does anybody have a count?

According to answers.com, there are 85 B-52H models left, and 9 in reserve.

The last H-model rolled off the assembly line on 26 October 1962...one month after I was born...and I'm 52!

[Shadow44]

Most families have the family car, their family has the family BUFF. LOL

[Joe 6-pack]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2430802/David-Welsh-B-52-Air-Force-Capt-Daniel-Swoop-Welch-piloting-plane-father-flew-Cold-War-grandfather-flew-Vietnam.html

[waterhill]

I have witnessed two. One at Dyess and one at the JRB. Love those birds.