Let's break it down: To Make Way for Future Bomber, AF Plans to Retire B-1, B-2 in 2030s bit.ly/2EmLYBs via @Militarydotcom
The nonnuclear B-1s will stick around until 2036 and the B-2 until at least 2032. That's enough time to bring in new pilots, train them and have them fly each bomber for at least 15 years.
The B-1 retirement has been expected for some time. B-1 operators recently told Military.com they are keeping in mind how their mission may shift in preparation for the B-21 Raider -- the Pentagon's latest classified, multi-billion-dollar program.
The B-2, the Pentagon's most advanced stealth bomber, will continue to degrade in technology compared to the B-21, which will have both nuclear and non-nuclear roles. The first B-21s are expected to reach initial operating capability in the mid-2020s.
What's most telling about the latest plan is how much the Air Force is willing to invest in the Cold War-era Stratofortress.
According to fiscal 2019 budget documents, the service is requesting $280 million for B-52H upgrades, a $168 million increase from the previous year.
According to fiscal 2019 budget documents, the service is requesting $280 million for B-52H upgrades, a $168 million increase from the previous year.
Compared to its bomber cousins, the B-52's longevity, endurance and payload will continue to expand. For ex., The Long Range Standoff Weapon program, known as LRSO is coming to B-52.
Additionally, with its new conventional rotary launcher, the B-52 has the ability to launch 24 precision-guided bombs -- a new record the aircraft recently set in Afghanistan.
In response to the new strategy, @SecAFOfficial earlier today said: "As part of our decisions presented in the FY19 President's Budget, the Air Force will update the B-52 bomber fleet and fund development of replacement engines."
Once sufficient B-21 aircraft are operational, the B-1s and B-2s will be incrementally retired; "Delivery and retirement timelines are dependent on the B-21 production and delivery schedules," the service said.
"If the force structure we have proposed is supported by the Congress, bases that have bombers now will have bombers in the future," @SecAFOfficial added. "They will be B-52s and B-21s," she said. (end)
