With almost no original parts remaining, the B-52 is a flying Ship of Theseus. While its basic fuselage shell dates to the 1960s, constant upgrades and a USD 48.6 billion Rolls-Royce engine refit have transformed it into a completely new aircraft.

With almost no original parts remaining, the B-52 is a flying Ship of Theseus. While its basic fuselage shell dates to the 1960s, constant upgrades and a USD 48.6 billion Rolls-Royce engine refit have transformed it into a completely new aircraft.

What is the oldest part still used on the B-52 bomber?

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress carries a massive 70,000-pound payload. From nuclear cruise missiles and JDAMs to Harpoon anti-ship missiles, this USD 84 million bomber drops the widest array of US military weapons.

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress carries a massive 70,000-pound payload. From nuclear cruise missiles and JDAMs to Harpoon anti-ship missiles, this USD 84 million bomber drops the widest array of US military weapons.

160-foot flying giant: What weapons can the B-52 bomber carry?

The B-52 stratofortress costs $69,708 per flight hour, driven by high fuel burn, ageing engines, and costly maintenance. despite rising expenses, the Rolls-Royce F130 upgrade is set to cut fuel use by 30%, keeping the B-52 one of America’s most economical long-range bombers.


The B-52 stratofortress costs $69,708 per flight hour, driven by high fuel burn, ageing engines, and costly maintenance. despite rising expenses, the Rolls-Royce F130 upgrade is set to cut fuel use by 30%, keeping the B-52 one of America’s most economical long-range bombers.

B-52 operations: How much it costs to fly the giant bomber for 1 hour

The B‑52 emphasises more on endurance, global range and adaptability, while the B‑1B brings speed, modern avionics and large conventional payloads to bear. 

The B‑52 emphasises more on endurance, global range and adaptability, while the B‑1B brings speed, modern avionics and large conventional payloads to bear.&nbsp;

'83,915 vs 86,183 kg': Why the B-52 and B-1B bombers remain vital to US and how they differ

According to Boeing, the aircraft continues to provide both nuclear and conventional global strike capability, with a combination of multiple factors including range, payload and mission availability that underpins strategic deterrence and allied operations around the world. 

According to Boeing, the aircraft continues to provide both nuclear and conventional global strike capability, with a combination of multiple factors including range, payload and mission availability that underpins strategic deterrence and allied operations around the world.&nbsp;

B-52 bomber secrets: Range, payload, and upgrades that keep it relevant today

It was designed as a high-altitude intercontinental nuclear bomber capable of reaching deep into Soviet territory, and also emerged from the early Cold War as a cornerstone of strategic deterrence.

It was designed as a high-altitude intercontinental nuclear bomber capable of reaching deep into Soviet territory, and also emerged from the early Cold War as a cornerstone of strategic deterrence.

B-52 bomber: How a 1950s aircraft became one of the longest-serving military planes in history

Understanding its scale in relation to other notable aircraft, particularly the C-5M Super Galaxy, Antonov An-124, and B-52 Stratofortress, sheds light on the distinct roles these machines fulfil within their respective operational frameworks.

Understanding its scale in relation to other notable aircraft, particularly the C-5M Super Galaxy, Antonov An-124, and B-52 Stratofortress, sheds light on the distinct roles these machines fulfil within their respective operational frameworks.

B-2 bomber isn’t as huge as you think: See how it compares to the 3 largest military jets

Their stories reveal how yesterday’s engineering marvels paved the way for today’s cutting‑edge bombers that still patrol the skies. 

Their stories reveal how yesterday’s engineering marvels paved the way for today’s cutting‑edge bombers that still patrol the skies.&nbsp;

5 deadliest US bomber jets that became legends but are now retired

Some were born out of necessity, others from decades of testing and hard lessons learned in combat. From voice-controlled radar to inflatable landing airbags, engineers have long pushed beyond obvious performance figures to give pilots tools to survive and win. 

Some were born out of necessity, others from decades of testing and hard lessons learned in combat. From voice-controlled radar to inflatable landing airbags, engineers have long pushed beyond obvious performance figures to give pilots tools to survive and win.&nbsp;

6 fighter jet features you didn’t know existed

Why US has deployed its $2 billion worth B-2 Spirit bombers in South China Sea

American B-52 Stratofortress bombers sent to the Middle East over what <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-commander-says-he-could-send-carrier-into-strait-of-hormuz-despite-iran-tensions-217422">Washington describes as threats from Iran</a> have arrived at a US base in Qatar, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

The US military said on Tuesday that a number of B-52 bombers would be part of additional forces being sent to the Middle East to counter what the Trump administration says are <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-threatens-swift-decisive-response-to-any-iran-attack-217396">"clear indications" of threats</a> from Iran to US forces there.

Iran has dismissed the new US deployments, including of an aircraft carrier, as old news announced now to intimidate it through "psychological warfare", at a time when Washington is also tightening financial sanctions. The USS Abraham Lincoln is replacing another carrier rotated out of the Gulf last month.

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A picture taken by US Air Force personnel stationed in Al Udaid air base and posted on the CENTCOM website showed two aircraft. The caption said: "B-52 Arrival. US B-52H Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron are parked on a flight line May 8, 2019."

The media officer at Al Udaid, near Doha, did not immediately respond to a phone call and email requesting comment and details. CENTCOM is responsible for US military operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

Washington has tightened sanctions on Iran this month, eliminating waivers that had allowed some countries to buy its oil, with a goal of reducing Tehran's crude exports to zero. Iran has responded by scaling back some curbs on its nuclear programme, although it remains compliant with a deal to restrict its nuclear activity which Washington abandoned a year ago.

American B-52 Stratofortress bombers sent to the Middle East over what Washington describes as threats from Iran have arrived at a US base in Qatar, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

American B-52 Stratofortress bombers sent to the Middle East over what Washington describes as threats from Iran have arrived at a US base in Qatar, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. The US military said on Tuesday that a number of B-52 bombers would be part of additional forces being sent to the Middle East to counter what the Trump administration says are "clear indications" of threats from Iran to US forces there. Iran has dismissed the new US deployments, including of an aircraft carrier, as old news announced now to intimidate it through "psychological warfare", at a time when Washington is also tightening financial sanctions. The USS Abraham Lincoln is replacing another carrier rotated out of the Gulf last month. A picture taken by US Air Force personnel stationed in Al Udaid air base and posted on the CENTCOM website showed two aircraft. The caption said: "B-52 Arrival. US B-52H Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron are parked on a flight line May 8, 2019." The media officer at Al Udaid, near Doha, did not immediately respond to a phone call and email requesting comment and details. CENTCOM is responsible for US military operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan. Washington has tightened sanctions on Iran this month, eliminating waivers that had allowed some countries to buy its oil, with a goal of reducing Tehran's crude exports to zero. Iran has responded by scaling back some curbs on its nuclear programme, although it remains compliant with a deal to restrict its nuclear activity which Washington abandoned a year ago.

US B-52 bombers arrive in Qatar amid threats from Iran