The last time the B-52H or Stratofortress strategic bomber received a tech upgrade John F. Kennedy was in his first year as president, NASA had just begun the Apollo Program and Roger Maris hit his 61st home run. Designed and built by Boeing, the B-52 is famous for its use during the Vietnam War, where it was used for extensive carpet bombing.
While it’s been operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) since the 1950s, the B-52 hasn’t had a tech upgrade since 1961. In April 2014, the B-52 received a much-needed tech upgrade to keep it fighting fit. With this upgrade, the B-52H could stay in active service for another 30 years.
This technological overhaul, dubbed the Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT) project, will see 30 B-52H aircrafts upgraded over the next few years. The upgrades will include a digital intercom system, a LAN for the plane’s various systems, color monitors and other advanced technology. All of the new systems have been radiation shielded for nuclear apocalypse warfare.
Hopefully, the Pentagon won’t wait half-a-century to replace the monochrome screens within the B-52s with multi-color ones.
