The U.S. Air Force Is Upgrading Its B-52 Fleet To Carry More (and Heavier) Bombs And Missiles

An Air Force technician secures GPS-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMS) on a B-52's underwing pylon. USAF

Task & Purpose: The Legendary B-52 Stratofortress Is Getting A Buttload Of New Bombs

The legendary B-52H Stratofortress has been raining bombs down on terror targets across the Middle East and Southwest Asia like there’s no tomorrow. The Air Force wants to ensure it can rain down even more.

A new request for information (RFI) from Air Force Materiel Command details a need for an external weapons pylon that will quadruple the maximum weight that the B-52 can haul under its impressive wingspan from 10,000 lbs to 40,000 lbs, according to Jane’s 360. But the new upgrade is less about the number of munitions and more about the type.

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Update: The Air Force Wants Its B-52s To Carry Mysterious 20,000lb Weapons Under Their Wing (Warzone/The Drive)

WNU Editor: Planes come and go, but they always find a way to keep the B-52 flying and conducting missions.