B1-B MODEL… or b52?
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Hey, dear friend Toro, it’s not good because it’s OT… and please stop teasing me here, bud :lol:
With best regards.
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“Hey, hey, my, my, those old BUFFs won’t ever die” ([Neil Young, please forgive me here) :lol:
And according to Italian “InsideOver” web magazine’s reporter Matteo Acciaccarelli,
_"Matteo Acciaccarelli
21 September 2019The long operational history of the iconic Boeing B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber will continue. The goal of the US Air Force (USAF, US Air Force) is to use them at least until 2050, for this reason they have been allocated about $ 3.4 billion to upgrade the engines, radars, avionics and systems of weapon. An extensive program of modernization that will proceed despite the fact that the new Northrop B-21 Raiders will be commissioned in the next 4-5 years, initially to replace the Rockwell B-1B Lancer and in the future the Northrop B-2 Spirit. The Buff (Big Big Ugly Fat Fellow) will remain, however, still operational for a long period of time reaching a hundred years of service (in use since 1955). An unimaginable goal for an airplane is only possible thanks to the design, the flexibility of use and the modernization interventions carried out over the years.
The new engines?
The first chapter of the USAF modernization program for the B-52 concerns the eight Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines, which ensure the propulsion of the giant strategic bomber. By the end of the year, according to Defense News, the US Air Force intends to issue a request for proposals for new engines. These should guarantee a similar power, if not greater, than the TF33 and have shorter times for diagnostics and for the resolution of any problem, ensuring a substantial reduction in the maintenance cycle. Not only that, because the new engine that will equip the B-52s will have to consume less fuel than the current TF33, designed in the 1950s and which, despite the updates, feel “the weight of the years”. If the proposal request is submitted by the end of 2019, it will probably be several months before the best engine is identified and the program is financed by the Congress. The first flight tests could be fixed at most in 2024, if everything were to proceed at its best and smoothly. The proposals will come from Pratt & Whitney who offered either the modernization of the TF33 or the modern PW815, and from Rolls Royce, which offered the F130 by proposing to open a production plant in Indiana if it were to win the tender. The other company that will compete will be General Electric, intending to present either the CF34-10 or the recent Passports.The armaments of the future …
The other aspect that will be the subject of modernization will be both the weapon system and the actual weapons, with the aim of ensuring that the B-52 also in the future can use the maximum of technology. The first step will be the full integration of the strategic bomber with the Lockheed Martin hypersonic AGM-183A ARRW (Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon), so far only carried out in an exercise to verify if this had, or not, a heavy impact on the aerodynamics of the B-52. The other missile to be integrated on the Stratofortress will be the new LRSO (Long Range Stand Off Weapon), in conventional and nuclear version, intended to replace the AGM-86B ALCM but which, above all, will allow it to be used from a greater distance than the one in service, increasing the security of the bomber that will be able to operate far from the opposing air defense systems. The possibility of using nuclear weapons will be fundamental in the future of the B-52, also because its use and its presence all over the world have always been central to ensure deterrence. For this reason that the Pentagon has requested, and obtained, a huge investment in the development of a new cruise missile to replace the ALCM, born “old” already in the 80s so much so that the initial goal was to replace it within a decade of service. But the collapse of the Soviet Union and the illusion of Washington that it has become the only global power has caused the program to update nuclear missile capabilities to fall into the “oblivion”, back on the agenda with the recovery of Russia, the emergence of China and the presence of multiple threats on a global scale. By 2022, however, the US Air Force will assign Lockheed Martin or Raytheon the contract to design the new weapon, which will be equipped with the new W80-4 warhead currently being designed by the National Nuclear Secuirty Administration. The first delivery is scheduled for 2025 and the completion of production in 2031, when all the current publications in use will be replaced by the most recent.The other modernizations
In addition to the missiles, among the requests of the USAF there is the one for the creation of new subaltern pylons to increase the transport capacity of the B-52 up to 18.144 kg (40.000 libre). A goal that, if achieved, would allow the US bomber to be equipped with all the orders in use, including the GBU-43 / B MOAB(Massive Ordnance Air Burst) usable only by Lockheed Martin MC-130. Furthermore, even the rotating cargo launcher will undergo substantial modifications in the coming years, doubling the number of launchable missiles. Obviously there are not only engines and armaments to be modernized, but also radar and avionics. As for the dated Northrop Grumman AN / APQ-166 mechanical scanning radar, the “substitute” will be based on APG-79 and APG-82, both produced by Raytheon called to increase the range from which the B-52 can locate potential targets to hit. Furthermore, the replacement of the radar will allow the USAF to better employ the new armaments, which require the most recent and advanced technologies. Raytheon, however, will work with Boeing to also replace on-board displays, computers and data communication systems to ensure full compatibility with Link 16 and other Nato systems.To the future
Improvements that, combined with the modernization of defense systems, will allow the B-52 to continue to sail the skies of the whole world until 2050. An important milestone for the USAF that can continue to rely on a reliable strategic bomber and widely used, “covering up” from any problems that could accuse the next Northrop B-21 Raider. At the same time, however, continuing the modernization of the B-52s also means paying tribute to what will remain in history as the symbol of aviation in general."_ We will learn more, I guess.With best regards.
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A little history….;)
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Toro, I do appreciate the odd video but you have totally hijacked this thread!
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Sorry but no link videos anymore :nosep:
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Bad boy querido hermano :lol:
With best regards to all.
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There’s a separate section for Videos. I like videos but when there are more video postings than actually posts about the mod at hand, it’s…. a bit much perhaps?
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Woooow - what a beauty PumpyHead
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Now that looks very cool[emoji41]
Great work! -
great Pumpy!
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Nice work