Will the B-2 Stealth Bomber Replace Barksdale’s B-52s?

With the recent events that took place last weekend in Iran, the B-2 Bomber has been featured prominently in the headlines once again. With its unique design, and long aura of mystery, the B-2 has been a subject of public fascination for years.  

And after the decimation of Iran’s nuclear capabilities implemented mostly by B-2 deployed “bunker-busting” bombs, they are once again brought to the forefront of the public’s consciousness.  

Local Sightings and a Provocative Question

Shreveport-Bossier residents have recently posted pictures and videos to social media of B-2 sightings flying into and out of Barksdale. KTBS recently posted a video to their Facebook page of one of the videos.  

But what got my attention more than even the video was a comment made by one user. While most everyone seemed fascinated by the UFO looking aircraft, one comment was: 

Has anyone considered that this B-2 has just become the retirement papers for our beloved B-52s? 

An intriguing thought that got me doing some research. 

Having grown up under the direct protection of our beloved Barksdale AFB, home of the legendary B-52 Stratofortress, I still think of the B-2 as a “new” weapon in the US military arsenal.  But the fact is, the B-2 is nearing the end of its glamorous career in the Air Force. 

For fans of the inimitable B-52, the good news is, no, the B-2 is not replacing the B-52.  In fact, it’s quite the opposite.  Ironically, the B-2 Spirit is considered an “older stealth bomber” with a high operating cost and is being retired by the US Air Force by 2032. 

The B-2's Impending Retirement

The B-2 Spirit bomber was first introduced in 1988 with a unique design, incorporating advanced stealth technology, including radar-absorbent materials and a unique flying wing design, to minimize its radar cross-section, making it difficult to detect by radar systems.  

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According to Britannica, the B-2 is one of the most expensive aircraft ever built, with a cost of over $2 billion per plane.  It can carry both conventional and nuclear weapons. 

The plans are to replace both the B-2 and the B-1B Lancer with the new, similar looking B-21 Raider stealth bomber. 

The Enduring Legacy of the B-52

By stark contrast, the B-52 Stratofortress, which has been around since 1955, yes, that’s 70 years,  is being modernized with new Rolls-Royce F130 engines, radar upgrades, and avionics improvements, redesignating it as the B-52J.  The plans are to have the B-52's in service well into the 2050’s.  And for those keeping score at home, that’s an incredible100 years.  

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.