Aircraft
New Life for the B-52
The U.S. Air Force is planning on keeping its B-52 strategic bombers for at least another 30 years, and beyond the retirement of the B-1 and B-2.
The Rolls-Royce F130 proposal would fit inside the existing TF33 nacelle to minimize modification requirements. (Photo: Rolls-Royce)
The Rolls-Royce F130 proposal would fit inside the existing TF33 nacelle to minimize modification requirements. (Photo: Rolls-Royce)

The U.S. Air Force is planning to keep its fleet of 76 Boeing B-52H Stratofortress bombers in service until at least 2050, when the youngest aircraft will be 88 years old. The USAF will operate these B-52s alongside at least 100 Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider stealth bombers, while the newer Rockwell B-1B Lancers that augment the B-52 today will retire in 2025-2035, followed by the small fleet of Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit bombers.