The 70-year-old B-52 bomber will basically be 'a new airplane' once it finally gets its upgrades, Trump's pick for nuclear command says

The upgrades are part of a plan to keep the B-52s in service until at least 2050, but they're delayed with cost overruns.
The Aviationist

What It Takes to Keep a 70-Year-Old B-52 Flying: Exclusive Look Inside the Accelerated Inspection at Edwards AFB

Inside the rapid B-52 X-Ray inspection that saved 17 days and boosted confidence in the 70-year-old bomber. In late June 2025, the U.S. Air Force’s 412th Test Wing shared that its Non-Destructive ...
The Aviationist

B-52 Radar Modernization Nears Flight Testing

The AN/APQ-188 radar upgrade for the B-52 is finally preparing to begin flight testing, following years of delays, cost overruns, and a program review. The U.S. Air Force’s long-running effort to ...