15 Years After Start: B-52 Bomber With Rolls-Royce Engines Wont Fly Until 2033

While “old but gold” is a moniker that could very appropriately describe the B-52 Superfortress, the venerable bomber is not without its issues. Instead of retiring the B-52s, the US Air Force plans to keep the old birds flying for many more years. To keep them flying, they are to be re-engined and upgraded. However, according to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, the program will be delayed by another three years. The upgraded B-52s are now not expected to reach initial operational capability until 2033 – some 15 years after the project’s initiation.