the B-52 is gonna be around till it's 100 years old!

PsyBorg

Wake up! Time to fly!
the US just signed a contract with Rolls-Royce to supply a new engine for the B-52 fleet for the next 30 years. the plane has been around for almost 70 already!

https://newatlas.com/military/rolls...ail&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-9b56a635ba-91020877

The bigger question is Will the USA be around in 30 years, or will we have used them in the wrong place for the wrong reason the way our screwed up grubment is headed. We are fast approaching that 300 year ceiling no other government in the history of the world has surpassed without imploding from corruption.
 

Taildragger

Legendary member
The bigger question is Will the USA be around in 30 years, or will we have used them in the wrong place for the wrong reason the way our screwed up grubment is headed. We are fast approaching that 300 year ceiling no other government in the history of the world has surpassed without imploding from corruption.
:oops: that is frightening
 

Flyingshark

Master member
The bigger question is Will the USA be around in 30 years, or will we have used them in the wrong place for the wrong reason the way our screwed up grubment is headed. We are fast approaching that 300 year ceiling no other government in the history of the world has surpassed without imploding from corruption.
I’m curious what your source is for that number. And why you chose to bring politics into a discussion about old airplanes.
 

Taildragger

Legendary member
I’m curious what your source is for that number. And why you chose to bring politics into a discussion about old airplanes.
old airplanes?
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Marzipan

Well-known member
interesting. too expensive to replace probably..

indeed! as the article mentions, the B-52 was so overbuilt that it has endured. of course, as they also shared, the only thing that's original on the plane is the airframe, everything else has been upgraded over time as technology changed and evolved.
 

Piotrsko

Master member
All sorts of weird stuff failing in Buffs, wing spars, engine booms, rudder mounts, gear mounts.....typical for a old plane, but except.for.spars,.dozens of B & C spare parts out in the desert. The oldest model A and it's sister is still flying at KEDW but they are low time, no low level.
 

PsyBorg

Wake up! Time to fly!
I’m curious what your source is for that number. And why you chose to bring politics into a discussion about old airplanes.

Uhh... school, spontaneous reading of books, conversations with other humans NOT on the internet? There is nothing political about it. It was simply a statement of my opinion whether the plane (after the upgrades) will out last the form of government we have or will it dissolve before end of life of that plane.. or maybe even would using that plane in fact be the end of our government.. MANY ways that could play out.

Just kind of strange with ICBM's and now space based weapons they are rehabbing these aircraft.. Does that not make you go hrrrmm?
 

FlyerInStyle

Elite member
indeed! as the article mentions, the B-52 was so overbuilt that it has endured. of course, as they also shared, the only thing that's original on the plane is the airframe, everything else has been upgraded over time as technology changed and evolved.
soon that will be changing too. maybe it will go supersonic and live to around 150 years? who knows what our air force will think of to keep the big beast around
 

Marzipan

Well-known member
just read about a successful SCRAMJET missile test in the US...first 'air breathing' test that worked.
 

Piotrsko

Master member
The problem with the buff is it's insanely good at what it does cheaply. We tried with the B1, B2 but they are too complex and costly (think of the B2 problem with rain on the paint and the whole program was considered to be a gimme for Northrop) russian Bears are turboprop.....
 

SSgt Duramax

Junior Member
The problem with the buff is it's insanely good at what it does cheaply. We tried with the B1, B2 but they are too complex and costly (think of the B2 problem with rain on the paint and the whole program was considered to be a gimme for Northrop) russian Bears are turboprop.....
There are a few planes like that. The A-10 comes to mind as well. Nothing else can fill that CAS support role like it.

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