Originally Posted by
Sputnik
James, I know of no major structural repairs on BUFF. Depending how you define 'major,' frequently the AF answer is to park them when there are things like wing box issues. Just too expensive to fix. There has been cash spent upgrading capacity and systems, not sure if that is what you meant.
I work with some folks who will probably know the answers and will ask them later in week when I see them.
Out of curiosity, why the concern?
Because I suspect massive amounts of money go into things like the B52s to keep them flying. Being a viable platform isn't the same as being "cost free once produced", which almost nothing is, but I'd imagine that most of the B52s and even U2s have had major overhauls and upgrades, making the cost huge over the years. Again, may still be viable and cost-efficient compared to designing and building a new plane, or just building a new example of the same plane, but I've got to think that UAV technology will keep pushing on and it won't be long until something easily surpasses the U2, if the GH doesn't quite fill it's shoes right now. It's probably the right time to invest in that, rather than expect to push something for 50 more years that will put people in harm's way and require vast amounts of money.
f you needed a truck to last for 50 years, would you rather have a 1955 chevy or a modern ford will alloy frame, etc?
I live next to the sea, so that 1955 truck would be red dust now.