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This is a very underappreciated aspect. The systems (i.e., avionics and portions attached to the avionics) would have also needed significant updates ($$$) to
by V_Terranova_Jr 4y ago
This is a very underappreciated aspect. The systems (i.e., avionics and portions attached to the avionics) would have also needed significant updates ($$$) to keep the aircraft relevant into the 21st century. It's not just the engines that needed modernizing.
- izacus 4y agoThat update existed (F-14D) but the upgrades of 40+ year old airframes were deemed to be a pretty big waste of money when they could be spent on fully modernized designs that could be stealthy and require less maintenance and pilots.
- chasd00 4y agoIdk, the B52 is still flying and that airframe was designed like in to 50s I think.
- izacus 4y agoThe B52 isn't rated (and regularly) used for high-G manouvers, splashed with sea salt and crashed into a ship deck. Carrier life is rough on planes.
- chasd00 4y agoValid point. I wasn’t thinking about carrier aircraft.
- mr_toad 4y agoThe avionics and weapons systems have all been replaced, and the engines soon will be. Also, the B52 is no longer considered suitable for the role it was designed for - dropping strategic nuclear weapons. In this role has been supplanted by the B2.
- chasd00 4y agoIsn’t it still the best platform for lazy figure 8s over the battlefield packed to the brim with jdams though? Like you can almost consider it a close air support platform. /not an expert, I knew more about this stuff when I was 12 than I do now heh