They just can't replace the heavy bomber B-52 and there's stories of pilots flying the same plane their Dad did - LOL
They just can't replace the heavy bomber B-52 and there's stories of pilots flying the same plane their Dad did - LOL
The B-1 obviously has a much newer airframe, higher top speed, and stealthier design, but surprisingly it can carry a larger capacity than the B-52. The B-1's combat range is less, however, and I wonder about the maintenance cost of the two designs, so those could be reasons the USAF favors retiring the B-1 while retaining the B-52 for bombing unguarded targets. And yes, the B-52 will probably hit 100 years of flight which is amazing.
The B-1 obviously has a much newer airframe, higher top speed, and stealthier design, but surprisingly it can carry a larger capacity than the B-52. The B-1's combat range is less, however, and I wonder about the maintenance cost of the two designs, so those could be reasons the USAF favors retiring the B-1 while retaining the B-52 for bombing unguarded targets. And yes, the B-52 will probably hit 100 years of flight which is amazing.
The B-1 is such a pretty plane. It just seems nobody knew what to do with it.
The B-52 was here before I born and for some reason I think it will still be flying missions after I'm dead.