aBUT HOW MANY UPGRADES HAVE BEEN DONE TO THE b=52 SINCE THEN....AND SINCE WHEN DID WE THINK OF b-52’S AS A DEFENSE AGAINST bEARS. I think we have sufficient defenses to handle any strategic bomber.
The Russian bomber fleet(Tu-95 & 160) have been the cream of their strategic aviation.They have retired scores of fighters & other systems to keep the bombers flying & crewed.
They have pretty much the same capabilities as the B-52 or B-1B,esp when it comes to launching long range cruise missiles.