Tue, Jan 25, 2022
Fuselage, Wing Shipped Over the Road For Reassembly At Boeing
A technically vintage B-52H bomber fuselage, formerly named "Damage Inc. II" has made its way to the Boeing facility in Oklahoma City, where it will be reassembled to act as the testbed for the sorely needed B-52 replacement engine program.
The donor aircraft was pulled from the boneyard at Pima, Arizona, where it was separated into separate sections for use throughout the Commercial Engine Replacement Program. The left wing and fuselage, now in Oklahoma, will be used in designing and integrating the prospective new engines as well as the Radar Modernization Program. The right wing and horizontal stabilizer were sent to Wichita, Kansas, for structural integrity research for a similar, concurrent strengthening program addressing lifetime fatigue in the aging B-52H fleet.
The biggest modernization effort was contracted from the United States Air Force to revamp the propulsion systems of the half-century old bomber, boosting fuel efficiency, extending range, reducing maintenance costs, and decreasing harmful emissions. The B-52 is slated to remain in combat service into at least the 2040's, and likely far beyond.
The project aims to replace the type's 8 thirsty vintage TF33s with a derivation of reliable, efficient, commercial off-the-shelf equipment. The use of standard industry engines brings efficiencies on every level, from cheaper parts costs to consistently available logistics and procurement worldwide.
“There are so many things this aircraft can be used for,” said Col. Louis Ruscetta on the testbed. The B-52 senior materiel leader within the bombers directorate. “As new weapons are developed and come on hand, we can use it to see how the weapons attach, what needs to change, and if they fit on the aircraft. This is an asset that will help us integrate different items onto the aircraft quicker. An additional benefit is the cost to maintain a mock up is fairly low,” he said referring to the overall cost savings. Pulling a 60-year-old plane from long term, semi-permanent storage for use is far cheaper than building or converting a similar aircraft in service.
More News
Hold Procedure A predetermined maneuver which keeps aircraft within a specified airspace while awaiting further clearance from air traffic control. Also used during ground operatio>[...]
Altitude Readout An aircraft’s altitude, transmitted via the Mode C transponder feature, that is visually displayed in 100-foot increments on a radar scope having readout cap>[...]
Aero Linx: European Hang Gliding and Paragliding Union (EHPU) The general aim of the EHPU is to promote and protect hang gliding and paragliding in Europe. In order to achieve this>[...]
Also: Skydio Chief, Uncle Sam Sues, Dash 7 magniX, OR UAS Accelerator US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall was given a turn around the patch in the 'X-62A Variable In-flight>[...]
"The need for innovation at speed and scale is greater than ever. The X-62A VISTA is a crucial platform in our efforts to develop, test and integrate AI, as well as to establish AI>[...]