The Next-Generation Bomber (NGB; unofficially called 2018 Bomber) was a program to develop a new medium bomber for the United States Air Force.The NGB was initially projected to enter service around 2018 as a stealthy, subsonic, medium-range, medium payload bomber to supplement and possibly—to a limited degree—replace the U.S. Air Force's aging bomber fleet (B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 The current B-52, B-1, B-2 bomber trio has served is getting the chance to build a B-2 "2.0" of sorts, with all that they have learned from building and supporting the B-2 since its first Also called: Liberator. B-24, long-range heavy bomber used during World War II by the U.S. and British air forces. It was designed by the Consolidated Aircraft Company (later Consolidated-Vultee) in response to a January 1939 U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) requirement for a four-engined heavy bomber. The B-24 was powered by four air-cooled radial Given that the Administration has capped B-1B procurement at 100 aircraft and a cost of $20.5 billion in 1981 dollars, Mr. Corddry worried that “the B-1 may not have everything in it that is the best that’s possible to put in it.”. In addition to expressing concern that the B-1 may be shortchanged on the latest technology, he took issue The B-52 isn't actually some awesome high-spec plane that warrants direct replacement, it just happens to have been in the sweet spot of 'long lifespan due to mild subsonic performance regime' and 'last of such built'. Even if you're going to build a "simple" bomber, you can build one to a superior fundamental design than just copying the B-52. The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is a US Air Force (USAF) heavy-penetration stealth bomber launched in 1989. The aircraft can infiltrate complex and dense air-defence shields, while it is capable of all-altitude attack operations up to 50,000ft. B-2’s original unit cost was $737m, making it the most expensive aircraft ever built. 1973–1974, 1983–1988. Number built. 104 [a] The Rockwell B-1 Lancer [b] is a supersonic variable-sweep wing, heavy bomber used by the United States Air Force. It has been nicknamed the "Bone" (from "B-One"). [1] [2] It is one of three strategic bombers serving in the U.S. Air Force fleet along with the B-2 Spirit and the B-52 Stratofortress B-52D Stratofortress BY BOEING Since it became operational in 1955, the B-52 has been the main long-range heavy bomber of the Strategic Air Command. It first flew on 15 April 1952. Nearly 750 B-52s were built when production ended in … The Air Force announced the B-52H CERP in early 2018, and in April 2020, it launched a request for proposals for 608 commercial engines to upgrade its B-52 fleet of 76 aircraft. The program has seen competitors like GE Aviation with its CF34 and Passport turbofan engines, Pratt & Whitney offer its PW800, and Rolls Royce with the modern F130. The new engines on the B-52s are expected to remain on the B-52H through at least 2050, increase fuel efficiency, increase range, reduce emissions in unburned hydrocarbons, and significantly reduce maintenance costs. “The B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program is the most important and comprehensive upgrade to the B-52 in over half a WEBYP.