Congress Wants US Air Force B-52 Bombers To Carry Nukes Again

As part of the New START arms control treaty signed with Russia in 2011, the United States converted many of its B-52H Stratofortress bombers only to carry conventional munitions. The treaty expires in February 2026, and Congress is now laying the groundwork to restore nuclear weapon capabilities to approximately 30 B-52H Stratofortress bombers. Concurrently, Congress also requires the Air Force to find ways of making the B-52 more comfortable for the crew flying them. The B-52 may already be the oldest bomber in the Air Force, but it is planned to be overhauled and will keep flying until the middle of the century.