Still going strong - a Cold Warrior in a new century.
The B-52 is not the biggest jet flying, and definitely not the newest, but it's still one of the baddest. At the risk of poaching on
Major Kong's territory, I thought I'd share a few views of one I encountered at Westover Air Reserve Base back in May. I'll also throw in a few links of interest.
More below the Orange Omnilepticon
The B-52 is one of the more interesting aircraft still in active service, because the design goes back over half a century. There are very few aircraft that have such longevity, especially in military roles. The secret seems to be starting with a good design that fills a niche, is adaptable over time, and works well enough that replacing it with something new wouldn't be economically viable. (If you figure the original cost of the B-52 program and spread it out over the expected operational life of these big 8-engined behemoths, I imagine it looks like quite a bargain.) There's been more than one article focusing on the long career of the B-52, but this one from CNET has a nice gallery of photos.
In any case, the B-52 I encountered was at the 2015 Great New England Airshow. There was an impressive assortment of aircraft both on display and in the air, which I hope to get around to writing up some time. It's one of the few places where a B-52 would actually not be one of the bigger airplanes on display, since there were quite a few C-5 Galaxies parked at the far end of the base with one pulled up where it could be walked through, a C-117 Globemaster III, and lots more big iron.
The only other big bomber present was a B-1 Lancer, which looks like something out Japanese robotech type anime. All sleek curves, swing wings, and pointy nose, at one time it was going to replace the B-52. Didn't happen. The B-52 is pretty utilitarian in contrast: slab sided, wings that look way too long, and a no-nonsense front end. It's something from another era, before computer modeling was used to tweak designs to the nth degree, and computer driven milling machines could crank out all kinds of complexly shaped components.
Here's a closer view of the front end. Note the pods containing assorted sensor systems.
Here's some stats, which tell the story of why the B-52 is still in service. It'll carry an unreasonable amount of weaponry a long way before it needs to be refueled. With aerial refueling, it can stay up as long as the crew can stand it.
FAQs for the B-52
The main gear comes in two sets, one forward, one aft, with the bomb bay in between. The wheels can be pivoted, meaning the plane can land at an angle when the wind is blowing across the runway - but the wheels are turned to be lined up with the runway. I once saw an airshow video of a B-52 taxiing behind a crowd that was watching the action in the air. It was crazy watching that big plane shuffling sideways behind all those oblivious people!
Note the size of wheels compared with the person standing next to them. Somewhere a monster truck is up on blocks...
Here's a look at some of the plumbing and wiring needed to lift those big wheels up and tuck them away. This is beyond Steampunk!
Meanwhile, out near the end of the wing, there's additional landing gear, one for each side. Those long wings need some support on the ground, especially when the plane is loaded with fuel. (You can also see the airshow phenomenon of military hardware serving as sun awnings.)
Here's a profile shot, so you can appreciate the length and height of the beast. There've been some changes over time. The
rudder has been downsized from earlier models, and the tail used to sport radar aimed guns. Despite all that, no one is going to mistake a Stratofortress for anything else.
Beautiful day for an air show, as the big bird sits quietly in the sun. You can see some of the other heavy iron around it.
Here's a reminder of the bomber heritage, and evidence that
AirSea Battle doctrine of combining air and naval elements has deep roots.
Who would have thought someone would have been crazy enough to fly Army Air Force bombers off a Navy Aircraft Carrier? The motto fits.
For those who want more B-52 stories, Major Kong has a four part series on what it's like to fly one:
here,
here,
here, and
here. Here's
a look inside the cockpit, and a discussion of
a really bad idea involving B-52's. And just to make things interesting, the Air Force is seriously considering
adapting new engines to the B-52H airframe. There would still be 8 engines, but they'd be newer, more fuel efficient designs, and that alone makes them attractive, along with (hopefully) fewer maintenance headaches.