New Engines Will Keep the B-52 Bomber Flying for 100 Years

[rangerrebew]

New Engines Will Keep the B-52 Bomber Flying for 100 Years

Planes delivered to the U.S. Air Force in 1961 will fly to 2050—or later.
By Kyle Mizokami   
Apr 30, 2020
 

    The U.S. Air Force wants to install new engines on its B-52 bombers.
    The bombers, built in the early 1960s, could serve up to one hundred years. One hundred years.
    The new engines could allow a B-52 to fly to any point on Earth without refueling.

The U.S. Air Force’s fleet of B-52H heavy strategic bombers are on track to becoming a fleet of flying centenarians. The service wants to purchase over 600 new engines for its B-52s, ensuring that the “Big Ugly Fat Fella” can fly on to 2050 or later. This will practically ensure that some bombers, delivered in the early 1960s, will still be dropping bombs in the early 2060s.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a32320801/b-52-new-engines/

[libertybele]

New Engines Will Keep the B-52 Bomber Flying for 100 Years

Planes delivered to the U.S. Air Force in 1961 will fly to 2050—or later.
By Kyle Mizokami   
Apr 30, 2020
 

    The U.S. Air Force wants to install new engines on its B-52 bombers.
    The bombers, built in the early 1960s, could serve up to one hundred years. One hundred years.
    The new engines could allow a B-52 to fly to any point on Earth without refueling.

The U.S. Air Force’s fleet of B-52H heavy strategic bombers are on track to becoming a fleet of flying centenarians. The service wants to purchase over 600 new engines for its B-52s, ensuring that the “Big Ugly Fat Fella” can fly on to 2050 or later. This will practically ensure that some bombers, delivered in the early 1960s, will still be dropping bombs in the early 2060s.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a32320801/b-52-new-engines/

Very interesting information -- I had no idea of the capabilities of the B-52.  Thanks for the post.

[PeteS in CA]

A sturdy platform with lots of room for upgrades and payload can last a long time, so long as it's aerodynamic performance is at least adequate. The C-130 is another example of this, though some new ones are still being built. The B-52's wing system is another part of the bird that needs to be watched closely.

[SZonian]

This has been a "thing" since the 90s...replacing 8 engines with 4 of comparable or greater thrust, but greater efficiency. Then there's the spare parts aspect of it as well. CFM or comparable engines will have a better supply chain which is usually cheaper based on the logistics of supply. 

Sounds like the supply of spare engines from other platforms may be running out. Those old J-57s and derivatives are not cheap to maintain as the engine is no longer used anywhere else except on very old aircraft flying civilian versions which basically have the same core.

The structural, electrical and cockpit modifications are going to be extensive if they do go ahead.

Look at the C-5M for an example.