B-52s were built 1952-1962, but the earlier models were all retired and destroyed when nuclear disarmament treaties capped the number of bombers. Only the final production variant, the H series, from 1960-1962, remain operational.
The C-130 and U-2 families also date back to the 50’s, but again, only later production runs remain in service today. (Though these two planes remained in production much longer than the B-52 or the KC-135.)
Wow. I thought the J was already out but it’s still under development. I floors me that that last H rolled off the line in 1962, which means the airframe has been flying for at least 64 years. Granted some of the avionics have been updated but that’s still crazy.
B-52s were built 1952-1962, but the earlier models were all retired and destroyed when nuclear disarmament treaties capped the number of bombers. Only the final production variant, the H series, from 1960-1962, remain operational.
The C-130 and U-2 families also date back to the 50’s, but again, only later production runs remain in service today. (Though these two planes remained in production much longer than the B-52 or the KC-135.)
Is the U2 still used by the military? I thought the remaining ones had moved to research years ago.
I didn’t even consider the 130, but yea, that’s a workhorse too!
Wow. I thought the J was already out but it’s still under development. I floors me that that last H rolled off the line in 1962, which means the airframe has been flying for at least 64 years. Granted some of the avionics have been updated but that’s still crazy.