The B-52 Bomber Is a Legend. But Does It Have a Future?

The B-52 first took flight in 1952, built for a very different era of military strategy. More than 70 years later, the aircraft is still flying—and the Air Force plans to keep it in service through 2050. To get there, the B-52 is undergoing plans for modernization of new engines, new systems, and new capabilities. But upgrading a 1950s-era aircraft is complex, costly, and carries risks. GAO reviewed the Air Force’s B-52 modernization efforts and found areas where additional analysis, testing, and digital engineering could help reduce the risk of delays, design problems, and cost growth.