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With the unveiling of the B-21 Raider, the Air Force tells us the strategic bomber fleet will consist of the -21, its newest stealth bomber (it looks much like a sleeker B-2 batplane) and refurbished\/upgraded B-52s.\u00a0 B-1s and B-2s currently in inventory will be used in their current roles until replaced.<\/p>\n
The B-1s and B-2s will continue to provide capacity until the Air Force fields the B-21 Raider, which will be the backbone of its future force and incrementally replace the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers currently in service.<\/p>\n
The Air Force confirmed that the first modified B-52s are expected to enter testing by the end of 2028.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
One hell of a plane- first B-52 flights were in April ’52, and t’auwld gurl is expected to stay flying into the ’30s and ’40s. You could make a hell of an Air Force from the planes that have debuted and passed into history during the time the BUFF has been operational… I suspect most Air Force members weren’t even BORN then.<\/p>\n
Defense News noted that Congress could also restrict the Air Force’s ability to retire B-1 and B-2 bombers.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Fox News<\/a><\/p>\n
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Kind of like they have kept the Air Force from retiring F-22s and A-10s. Speaking of which, 21 A-10s will be retired next year. They will be replaced at their base by F-16s. 19fortyfive.com<\/a><\/p>\n
In future the Air Force still wants to rely on the F-35 for close air support. Given their ammo load and loiter time, you forward air guys better get it right the first time and hope the planes do, ‘cuz you’re likely to get one, count ’em ONE, shot at it. Yes, I’m a biased Thud fan. Any ground guy who doesn’t love something that kills enemy tanks like that is sick.<\/p>\n
19fortyfive.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"