21 built originally. 1 completely destroyed in a crash in 2008. A 2nd retired in 2022 after a crash. No word on whether it’s being converted into a museum plane or not. Its replacement the B-21 Raider is in active production and set to formally take over in 2032.
Meanwhile the B-52 will probably be doing hot laps at the B-2s retirement ceremony. I don’t think we’ve yet to develop an airframe with the B-52s longevity.
Lol. The A-10 is actually about 20 years younger than the B-52.
B-52s Maiden Flight was 1952. Entered service in 55. A-10s was 72 and entered service in 77.
It’s also projected to outlast its replacement and it’s replacement’s replacement. The retirement date with all the upgrades it’s had thus far is projected to stretch its service life into the 2050s at least. Making it a century at least. Some Airforce crews are flying on the same birds Great Grandpa flew over Hanoi in the 1960s and Grandpa flew over Kuwait in the 1990s and Dad flew over Iraq in the 2000s.
The B1-Lancer which was supposed to replace the B-52 is scheduled for retirement by the end of the decade. The B-2 which was supposed to replace the B-1 will follow projected for 2032. Replaced by the B-21.
19 total.
21 built originally. 1 completely destroyed in a crash in 2008. A 2nd retired in 2022 after a crash. No word on whether it’s being converted into a museum plane or not. Its replacement the B-21 Raider is in active production and set to formally take over in 2032.
Meanwhile the B-52 will probably be doing hot laps at the B-2s retirement ceremony. I don’t think we’ve yet to develop an airframe with the B-52s longevity.
Is Slim Pickens still around?
We need him you know.
A-10?? If it wasn't for the low operational altitude and trees...😄
Lol. The A-10 is actually about 20 years younger than the B-52.
B-52s Maiden Flight was 1952. Entered service in 55. A-10s was 72 and entered service in 77.
It’s also projected to outlast its replacement and it’s replacement’s replacement. The retirement date with all the upgrades it’s had thus far is projected to stretch its service life into the 2050s at least. Making it a century at least. Some Airforce crews are flying on the same birds Great Grandpa flew over Hanoi in the 1960s and Grandpa flew over Kuwait in the 1990s and Dad flew over Iraq in the 2000s.
The B1-Lancer which was supposed to replace the B-52 is scheduled for retirement by the end of the decade. The B-2 which was supposed to replace the B-1 will follow projected for 2032. Replaced by the B-21.
It’s essentially the 1911 of Bombers.
It’s also been updated…
True. But the Airforce is looking to retire all it’s remaining functional airframes in 2026. Moving them to mothball.
Redirecting funding to the F-47 and B-21 projects