Scrappy_The_Crow
Scrappy_The_Crow t1_jac63td wrote
Reply to comment by BroseppeVerdi in TIL the last B-52 Bomber produced for the US left the factory 10/26/1962 - the same day as the climax of the Cuban Missile Crisis - they're still used 60 yrs later. by GoGaslightYerself
No, they're not. In fact, they have no armor.
Source: Me, former BUFF EWO.
Scrappy_The_Crow t1_jac60wz wrote
Reply to comment by ShEsHy in TIL the last B-52 Bomber produced for the US left the factory 10/26/1962 - the same day as the climax of the Cuban Missile Crisis - they're still used 60 yrs later. by GoGaslightYerself
Depending on the model, BUFFs have had significant refitting of structural components. Some D models were re-skinned on the lower wings and parts of the fuselage in the 1970s (the Ds were retired in '83) and the Gs and Hs had wing spar replacements in the late '70s, as low-level flying was taking a toll (the Gs were retired in '93).
Overall, all military aircraft are subjected to significant testing, both at the airframe level and component level for some things (like landing gear), with replacement as necessary.
Scrappy_The_Crow t1_jacfngv wrote
Reply to comment by BroseppeVerdi in TIL the last B-52 Bomber produced for the US left the factory 10/26/1962 - the same day as the climax of the Cuban Missile Crisis - they're still used 60 yrs later. by GoGaslightYerself
Well, I guess that's an r/woosh on me, then.