Warplanes: September 18, 2001

Archives

NASA is to receive a new B-52H bomber to replace the ancient B-52B "Balls 8" which has been providing "drop services" since 1959. The B-52B has become a maintenance nightmare as it uses systems and controls installed on no other aircraft in US service. The newly assigned B-52H will have a pylon installed between the fuselage and right inboard engines, but without the special reinforcement installed in Balls 8, the new aircraft will only be able to carry 25,000 pounds (half as much). When the new plane's wing is reinforce, it will be able to carry 70,000 pounds.--Stephen V Cole

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close