The resurrection of USAF Stratofortresses, there is more to it
Five minute reading about how USAF's Global Strike Command has comitted to the New Start Treaty and tries to stick to the number of aircraft in its inventory.
On 6 January 2021, the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex (OC-ALC) published an article that two B-52H Stratofortress bombers are being regenerated to active service whilst undergoing simultaneous maintenance.
At this moment, USAF's two most famous B-52s that are most often written about, are 60-0034 "Wise Guy" and 61-0007 "Ghost Rider". The two bombers have something in common. Both B-52Hs are the only two H-models generated from long-term storage with the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan AFB (AZ) and are now in the process of undergoing Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM) at the OC-ALC. At first glance it seems normal that the above mentioned B-52Hs were generated from long-term storage and receiving PDM. But there is more to it.
The keywords are New START and increasing inventory shortages
New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), is a treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on measures for the further reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms. The New START became effective on 5 February 2011. With a duration of ten years, the treaty will now expire within a month. It is expected that the new Biden Administration will soon be challenged by Russia about the expired treaty.
On 1 January 2021, US Congress overrode President Trump’s veto of the 2021 National Defence Authorization Act. This, clearing the way to reduce USAF's B-1B Lancer bomber fleet from 62 to 45 aircraft. In 2016, Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) started with minor upgrades on the ageing B-2A Spirit stealth bombers. During 2019, the USAF estimated that eight of the AFGSC's twenty B-2As would have received an upgrade by 2024. Scramble Magazine assesses that it would not be strange if, at some point, the USAF were to cancel the remaining twelve.
As for the Stratofortress
In 2015, AFGSC started the conversion of a portion of the B-52H fleet from a nuclear to a conventional only capability aircraft under the New START. Thirty B-52Hs, out of the mandated 76, have been converted to conventional only capability. That said, new technology and weapons have emerged. The USAF took great steps towards fielding a hypersonic weapon in 2020. Especially the (conventional) AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), in combination with the B-52H, is the most progressive US hypersonic project.
Every strategic bomber counts
After compiling the above, USAF's strategic bomber total number will be 141. The next decade will see multiple bombers being phased out and will disappear from AFGSC's operational inventory. USAF's new B-21 Raider is only expected to be delivered in sufficient numbers by 2031. It is expected that the USAF will do its utmost to keep their operational strategic assets inventory, in accordance with the New START, as high as possible.
Since the New START became effective in 2011, a lot has changed in the world. The relationship between the US and Russia has changed. The US National Defence Strategy has changed. If their will be a new treaty is still in doubt. And if so, what will be the leverages. It is not inconceivable that one day in the future, both "Wise Guy" and "Ghost Rider", will be used by carrying hypersonic AGM-183A ARRWs.
Photos: USAF