Fuselage, Wing Shipped Over the Road For Reassembly At Boeing

A technically vintage B-52H bomber fuselage, formerly named "Damage Inc. II" has made its way to the Boeing facility in Oklahoma City, where it will be reassembled to act as the testbed for the sorely needed B-52 replacement engine program. 

The donor aircraft was pulled from the boneyard at Pima, Arizona, where it was separated into separate sections for use throughout the Commercial Engine Replacement Program. The left wing and fuselage, now in Oklahoma, will be used in designing and integrating the prospective new engines as well as the Radar Modernization Program. The right wing and horizontal stabilizer were sent to Wichita, Kansas, for structural integrity research for a similar, concurrent strengthening program addressing lifetime fatigue in the aging B-52H fleet.

The biggest modernization effort was contracted from the United States Air Force to revamp the propulsion systems of the half-century old bomber, boosting fuel efficiency, extending range, reducing maintenance costs, and decreasing harmful emissions. The B-52 is slated to remain in combat service into at least the 2040's, and likely far beyond.

The project aims to replace the type's 8 thirsty vintage TF33s with a derivation of reliable, efficient, commercial off-the-shelf equipment. The use of standard industry engines brings efficiencies on every level, from cheaper parts costs to consistently available logistics and procurement worldwide.

“There are so many things this aircraft can be used for,” said Col. Louis Ruscetta on the testbed. The B-52 senior materiel leader within the bombers directorate. “As new weapons are developed and come on hand, we can use it  to see how the weapons attach, what needs to change, and if they fit on the aircraft. This is an asset that will help us integrate different items onto the aircraft quicker. An additional benefit is the cost to maintain a mock up is fairly low,” he said referring to the overall cost savings. Pulling a 60-year-old plane from long term, semi-permanent storage for use is far cheaper than building or converting a similar aircraft in service.

FMI: www.AF.mil