Something cool: 15-ship B-52 nuclear attack scramble exercise

**Caelius** · September 24, 2009, 12:19 PM

Minimum-Interval Take Off scramble, from Minot AFB in North Dakota.

15 aircraft in the air in less than 10 minutes of the klaxons sounding.

Really harkens back to those nostalgic days that SAC once occupied in the US strategic defense umbrella.

It also makes you think about just how amazing an aircraft the B-52 really is. For those that don't know, the last B-52 production model rolled off it's assembly line back in 1962. There have literally been generations of pilots (ie men who's own fathers used to operate the aircraft) who've flown them.

**bushbush** · September 24, 2009, 12:20 PM

B-2 or B-52? which one better?

**hellheaven1987** · September 24, 2009, 12:51 PM

B-2 is for stealth operation, while B-52 is for long range bombardment.

Different role, incomparable; I do notice that most introduction regardin B-2 states it is a difficult machine to control, with several serious weakness.

**Guderian's Duck** · September 24, 2009, 01:08 PM

The B-2 requires its computer assisted avionics to fly otherwise it will crash.

**Mcgruder** · September 28, 2009, 10:10 AM

B-52 has a sheduled out of service date of 2040. Quite astonishing when you keep in mind the aircraft was in active service in 1955.

**hellheaven1987** · September 28, 2009, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by Mcgruder

B-52 has a sheduled out of service date of 2040. Quite astonishing when you keep in mind the aircraft was in active service in 1955.

Serious?? That means they have served for nearly hundred years...

**Guderian's Duck** · September 28, 2009, 01:51 PM

The Russian Tu-95 is also scheduled to be in service just as long. It goes to show you how extendable the airframe is.

**Mcgruder** · September 30, 2009, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by hellheaven1987

Serious?? That means they have served for nearly hundred years...

Indeed, Mind boggling isn't it.

The aircraft themselves have been constantly updated and re-engined and the airframes themeslves are good for 2040 at least. The USAF have no plans to replace them before that date.

They even estimate some airframes in the fleet will still be fit to fly after 2040. So yeah, we could be looking at 100 odd year old aircraft by the time they are retired. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

**~~Barry Ferguson~~** · October 01, 2009, 11:46 AM

Wouldn't that be rather like the RAF going to war in Sopwith Camels?

**Guderian's Duck** · October 01, 2009, 01:05 PM

No. There's no comparison to be made here really. The Sopwith Camel would have no place in combat outside of the First World War. More modern aircraft like the B-52 can be refurbished and have their avionics and airframes upgraded as time passes. Also, the B-52 is used in a variety of roles that has evolved since the B-52 was first introduced. The USAF is still finding ways to employ the B-52.