Boeing Rolls Out With Modified B-52

**Ryan Ruck** · June 22nd, 2009, 02:18

Boeing Integrated Defense Systems in Wichita marked the start of the flight-test phase of a B-52 modified with Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT) with a celebration Friday at the company.

The aircraft made its first flight Thursday.

The plane, a B-52H Stratofortress long-range bomber, has been modified with modern situational awareness and mission flexibility, the company said.

Boeing Wichita employees, U.S. Air Force representatives and state and local officials were on hand for the celebration at the company in southeast Wichita.

"The CONECT modification gives our warfighters equal footing in a network-centric battlefield," Scot Oathout, Boeing's director of B-52 programs, said in a statement.

Boeing Wichita is modifying the first of 76 B-52s in service. Wichita engineers will continue to provide engineering support for the remaining modifications.

The B-52 was designed to carry nuclear weapons during the Cold War. The Wichita-modified aircraft was first delivered from Boeing Wichita in 1960.

The Air Force awarded Boeing the contract in April 2005 for the system design and development of the CONECT program.

B-52s are stationed at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota and Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.

**Luke** · June 22nd, 2009, 05:20

The B-52 must be the hands down winner of ultimate heavy bombers. I would dare say there has never been an airframe with more longevity. C3 transport, maybe, but I do not think they are still manufactured.