Air Force Monster: The US continue operation of B-52J
The US Air Force is planning to upgrade 76 B-52H available by B-52J by the 2040s so that this legendary aircraft remains a major component of the fleet of strategic bombers. Let's pay tribute to the Far Bomber B-52 StratoFortress US Air Force. For the first time climbing into the air of 1952, when US President was Harry S. Truman, the "war with the Reds" raged, and 41-year-old Ronald Reagan rang in his last year of his life held the post of President of the Film Guild (SAG), B-52. Services.
This time, reincarnation awaits him in the form of B-52J. Considering the additions that the Air Force plan to bring to this version of the legendary far bomber, the B-52 is likely to live to its centennial anniversary. B-52J is the last iteration of the legendary strategic BOEING B-52 StratoFortress. It is a significant modernization of how to compare with the previous options B-52, and is intended to extend the life of the aircraft over the 21st century.
The B-52J will be different from its predecessors in several key realms, including the integration of new engines, radar systems and modernization of avionics. One of the key innovations is the replacement of the original Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines with Rolls-Royce F130 engines. These new engines are expected to increase fuel efficiency by at least 20%, reduce the cost of maintenance and improve the overall characteristics of the bomber.
The F130 engines will also increase the life of the aircraft, which will allow the B-52J to stay in the line for several decades. The B-52J will also be equipped with a new radar system, which is a modified variant of the radar APG-79 AESA for F/A -8E/F Super Hornet aircraft. This advanced radar will provide B-52J with improved opportunities for detection, tracking and targeting, increasing its effectiveness in both offensive and defense operations.
As for readiness, the first B-52J should be arrived at the end of 2033-much later than its designers initially. Eventually, by the 2040s, the entire B-52H park will be upgraded to the B-52J standard. The Air Force is planned to build a total of 76 B-52J aircraft, as it will modernize the existing park, not purchase new aircraft.
The B-52J flight range will be approximately 8800 miles (14 162 km for those who are not a single country who has planted people on the surface of the moon), which will allow him to fulfill distant missions with minimal refueling. The aircraft defensive capabilities will include an advanced electronic wrestling complex (HRB), which will allow him to withstand enemy radars and missile systems.
In addition, the B-52J will be equipped with an A/ALQ-249 (V) 1 (V) 1 counter, which provides an active and passive muffle of a wide range of threats. This is very important because many consider B-52 too outdated for a modern battlefield, on which US rivals focus not so much on suppressing the US military potential as on denying access to it through various technological methods (such as muffling or swarming drones).
The B-52J crew will consist of five persons: two pilots, a ravine-ray, an officer in electronic wrestling and an armament officer. This crew configuration will remain unchanged as comparable to the previous B-52 options. So even Major Cong recognizes this bird, despite the fact that 60 years have passed since it has launched a nuclear bomb for a whole in the depths of the Soviet Union.
As for weapons, the B-52J will be able to carry a wide range of weapons, including ordinary and nuclear bombs, winged missiles and accurate ammunition. The aircraft will also be able to carry hypersonic weapons, such as AGM-183 Air-Launchered Rapid Respension Weapon (ARRW), although the Air Force decided to focus on hypersonic rocket launcher (HACM).
The Air Force is working to ensure that the B-52 can carry as much hypersonic cruise missiles as possible and plan to develop new suspension units to maximize the load of hypersonic weapons on a bomber. The B-52J also undergoes familiarizing preparation with hypersonic weapons, which once again confirms its ability to work with these advanced weapons.
Therefore, the B-52J is a significant modernization of the respectable B-52 Stratofortress, which extends its life and expand its capabilities in the face of evolving threats. Thanks to new engines, radar systems and Avionica B-52J will remain a vital component of the fleet of strategic bombers of America and in the 21st century.
It may seem strange that the plane of almost a hundred years ago continues to remain the main long -range bomber of the Air Force, but it only confirms the old proverb: "They do not do more" (or, more appropriate, "works - do not touch!"). Of course, there are other bombers in the Air Force arsenal-in particular, the B-21 Raider proposed-but none of them has such a load capacity and versatility that B-52 has repeatedly demonstrated since the Korean War and to this day.
The Air Force is unlikely to ever be able to develop, produce and maintain in working order as perfect bomber as B-52. Brandon J. Weikhert is a national security analyst, a former Congress employee and a geopolitical analyst who writes for The Washington Times, Asia Times and The-Pipeline. Author of the books "Winning Space: How America Remains a SuperPower", "Biohacked: China's Race to Control Life" and "The Shadow War: Iran's Quest for Supremacy".