{"id":63961,"date":"2026-03-14T22:05:22","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T21:05:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/?p=63961"},"modified":"2026-03-21T23:57:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T22:57:47","slug":"b-52-bomber-the-grandpa-of-the-usaf-in-epic-fury-in-photos-from-undisclosed-locations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/2026\/03\/14\/b-52-bomber-the-grandpa-of-the-usaf-in-epic-fury-in-photos-from-undisclosed-locations\/","title":{"rendered":"B-52 bomber: the grandpa of the USAF in Epic Fury, in photos from undisclosed locations"},"content":{"rendered":"

We live in the age of high technology and stealth aircraft, but even today we see an old acquaintance making its way back into the fray.<\/p>\n

A report that shows how a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber works<\/a><\/rel>
\nThe USAF shows more photos of the B-21 Raider and talks about a future without B-1B nor B-2<\/a><\/rel><\/p>\n

The B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber made its first flight on April 15, 1952, almost 74 years ago.<\/strong> The aircraft entered service in February 1955. No other aircraft model in the United States Air Force (USAF) has remained in service for so long and continues to prove irreplaceable.<\/p>\n

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The B-52 is like an old rocker who refuses to retire<\/strong>, especially seeing more modern aircraft preparing for retirement. In December 2022, the USAF published its forecast for retiring the B-1B and B-2<\/a>, while envisioning a future Air Force bomber force consisting of B-21s and B-52s<\/strong>. Let us remember that the B-1B Lancer (a supersonic bomber in service since 1986) and B-2 Spirit (with stealth capabilities and in service since 1997) are much more modern than the Stratofortress, but the older B-52 has lower operating costs and greater availability than its successors.<\/p>\n

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According to its 2025 Almanac<\/a>, the USAF maintains 76 active B-52Hs<\/strong> (18 of them in the Air Force Reserve), a number that exceeds the combined total of B-1Bs (46) and B-2s (20). The average age of B-52s in service is 62.8 years<\/strong>, compared to 37.4 years for B-1Bs and 28.75 years for B-2s.<\/p>\n

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According to the aforementioned almanac, in 2024 the B-52H fleet still achieved a mission capability rate of 54%, compared to 43% for the B-1B and 55% for the B-2<\/strong>. The USAF emphasizes that this rate remains stable for the B-52, while it is declining for its successors. In short, the Stratofortress is an old soul in excellent health.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has indicated that the B-52 is participating in Operation Epic Fury against the Iranian dictatorship<\/a>, alongside the B-1B and B-2. It is the oldest aircraft used in this operation, and undoubtedly the oldest aircraft still in use in offensive operations<\/strong>, as the Tupolev Tu-95 \"Bear,\" used by Russia in the invasion of Ukraine, made its first flight a few months after the B-52 and entered service in 1956.<\/p>\n

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Since the start of the operation, the multimedia portal DVIDShub.net has published several photos of the B-52 in Epic Fury<\/a>. In all cases, these are photos taken from undisclosed locations<\/strong>. No information is provided about the units to which these aircraft belong, and the photos do not show any details that would allow for their identification.<\/p>\n

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American airpower remains unmatched. The B-52 Stratofortress has been utilized in every major conflict since 1965. During the first 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury, B-52s struck Iranian ballistic missile and command and control posts. pic.twitter.com\/zhSqgA4m37<\/a><\/p>\n

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 5, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n