The B-52, for example, has dropped conventional bombs on Islamic State targets in Syria and can also carry nuclear weapons if such a conflict arose. the new bomber has stayed on cost and on B-52 gets new sniper pod. BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) -- The 2nd Bomb Wing made its first live run with a new addition to the aging bomber. With constant upgrades bringing the more than 60 year-old bomber into the 21st century, the addition of the sniper pod gives the B-52H Stratofortress better integration with ground forces and laser The B-52 first introduced the idea of flying a bomber at very high altitudes, to make it harder for anti-aircraft missiles to reach it, while the B-1 tried the opposite: flying so low and fast The B-52 airframe has seen repeated updates and upgrades over the years, allowing the “Stratosaurus” to keep pace or even outmatch more modern bombers. In fact, both the B-1B Lancer and B-2 Despite some delays, development of the B-21 has proceeded with far less drama, delays and cost overruns than notoriously afflicted the F-35 stealth jet and B-2 Spirit. Admittedly, operating costs Each Reaper costs about $32 million. Russian jets crossed in front of a B-52 bomber that was flying over the Black Sea, and flew as close as 100 feet (30 meters) in front of the bomber’s The U.S. Air Force’s next-generation B-21 stealth bomber program will likely cost taxpayers at least $203 billion to develop, purchase and operate 100 aircraft over 30 years, according to new As the B-52 fleet prepares for new engines, radar, and other tech upgrades, a team of test pilots and engineers at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., wants to make the aging bomber easier for crews to operate. Specifically, they are testing out new instrumentation, including digital engine gauge clusters to replace the current analog gauges . It costs around $70,000 to fly a B-52 for one hour. That’s roughly the same as what a B-1 costs for an hour of flight, and half what a B-2 costs.” Axe anticipates the operating cost of the B Wichita’s legacy with the U.S. bomber fleet dates back to B-29 Superfortress production during World War II. “We are very pleased Boeing selected Spirit to be the structures partner on the B-52 CERP program, taking advantage of decades of experience and capabilities building engine struts and nacelles in Wichita,” said Duane Hawkins tj0B.