Bomber Aircraft Still Flying Combat Missions Years After Their Intended Retirement Date

While strategic bombers are typically retired after a few decades, several countries are still flying Cold War-era aircraft far beyond their original lifespan. A new report notes that only the United States, Russia and China operate strategic bombers, and that the United Kingdom no longer does. The U.S. keeps the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress in service with H-variants built in the 1960s, with upgrades planned to the B-52J standard. The aircraft is being re-engined with Rolls-Royce F130 turbofans under the Commercial Engine Replacement Program, at an estimated $15 billion for the effort. Combined modernization efforts are estimated at $48.6 billion.