Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski operates the combat network communications technology program on board a B-52H Stratofortress test bomber May 2, 2012, at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The communications program is designed to bring the B-52H from the analog to the digital age, enabling it to effectively communicate, integrate and network within the joint force environment. Kowalski is the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jet Fabara)
Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski discusses upgrades made to a B-52H Stratofortress test aircraft with Maj. Jonathan Beich and Mr. John Kirk on May 2, 2012, at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Kowalski is the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command; Beich and Kirk are B-52H test radar navigators. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jet Fabara)
5/12/2012 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) -- During a recent visit to Edwards Air force base, Calif., the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command spent time with B-52 Stratofortress combined test force officials to preview the combat capability enhancements made to the B-52H.
Modernizing and sustaining the nation's long-range strike aviation capability is a top priority for the command, Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski, said.
Kowalski also emphasized that this is the "Year of the B-52," marking both the 50th anniversary of the last delivery of a B-52H to Minot Air Force base, N.D., and the 60th anniversary of the first test flight of the YB-52 prototype.
He attributed the reliability and combat capability of the dual-role bomber to talented maintenance personnel, outstanding depot support and the Air Force's continued investment in the airframe.
The B-52H is a dual-capable aircraft designed to carry a variety of weapons in support of a range of military operations. It has been projected for a number of upgrades, which have already been made to the two B-52H test aircraft at Edwards AFB.
These upgrades are integral to ensuring the B-52H is both effective and able to fully integrate with other services as envisioned in the Air-Sea Battle concept, according to command officials.
Among the upgrades is a guided "smart weapon" capability in the B-52H's internal weapons bay that provides a 66 percent increase in guided weapons payloads. Another current program is an upgrade to the latest advanced targeting pod, which will increase the B-52H effectiveness when performing close air support and other missions.
One of the test aircraft at Edwards AFB also featured an improved on-board communications upgrade called combat network communications technology.The CONECT program brings the B-52H from the analog into the digital age, command officials said, providing an invaluable data link, over which to pass mission and threat data.
The new defense strategy places a greater emphasis on the Pacific, Kowalski said, making it important that U.S. bombers are fully networked and integrated with the joint force.
The AFGSC provides a fleet of B-52Hs and a cadre of Airmen from Minot AFB, and Barksdale AFB year-round in support of the continuous bomber presence mission in the Pacific, which ensures stability and peace in the region.
"Long-range, payload, persistence ... these three attributes underlie key capabilities provided by Global Strike Command's B-2 Spirit and B-52H fleet," said Col. Rick Mitchell, the command's bomber requirements division chief. "These attributes become increasingly important to combat the 'tyranny of distance' posed by the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean.
These digital enhancements will ensure the viability of the B-52H well into the 21st century, Mitchell said.
(Courtesy of the Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs)
Comments
6/26/2012 5:42:25 PM ET OPSEC
Wingman, DesMoinesIA
5/18/2012 5:08:36 PM ET @Former B-52 Guy not sure where you got your info that the data-link has been canceled. The most recent FY13 House Approprations Committee has directed the AF to pursue the CONECT program vs. keeping the new MFD's and using the EDL as the permanent solution. It's true that the data-link capability is a not true Link-16 data-link however Link-16 messages can be sent and received via satelite giving the crew much more SA and weapon targeting capabilities. So in summary CONECT definately brings the B-52 into the digital age and vastly increases crew SA and weapons targeting capabilites
BUFFpilot, CONUS
5/16/2012 11:14:12 AM ET @BUFF Driver - 3 crewmembers DID survive the Diego Garcia crash in 1991. The Fairchild ejection was unsurvivable with any ejection seat due to low altitude and high sink rate. An egress system upgrade was explored in the 1980s but shelved due to extensive airframe mods that would be required and no practical upgrade being available for the two downward ejecting seats.
Strake, Tinker
5/16/2012 11:11:07 AM ET @ Carl The General's sitting at the nav station not the EW's. It sure has changed a lot since I last flew it in '85
Former Buff RN, VA
5/16/2012 10:58:52 AM ET @ Carl- That is the B-52 navigator's station and not the ECM station shown in the photo. Nothing classified in the photo.
Larry, Barksdale
5/16/2012 9:41:28 AM ET @ Carl Wright-Pat...that is not the EW station nor the ECM suite..the General is sitting at the navigator's station.
Buff Crewdog, Louisiana
5/15/2012 6:15:59 PM ET @Retired Buff Driver - werent there 3 survivors from the 1991 crash off Diego And in 1994 at Fairchild a better ejection system wouldnt have mattered even for the crewman who did try to eject.
IM Dunn, CONUS
5/15/2012 4:28:05 PM ET Is it wise to publish an enlargeable and downloadable high resolution photo of the general sitting at a B-52 ECM station with equipment energized and operating Normally the ECM station classified equipment is shrouded even when turned off anytime the crew compartment is accessed by visitors.
Carl, Wright-Patt
5/15/2012 3:01:06 PM ET The statement of The CONECT program brings the B-52H from the analog into the digital age command officials said providing an invaluable data link over which to pass mission and threat data. is a LAUGHABLE political rant on the part of people who don't begin to understand the situation. The reality is that the B-52 is past its prime is technologically irrelevant and is becoming so politicallymilitarily as well. CONECT WOULD have brought the aircraft into the digital age. However budget cuts ended up axing the program to the point where it only provides the aircraft with new MFDs. It doesn't do anything substantially more for the analog airplane. The invaluable data-link lauded in the article is also CANCELLED. The technological gap the B-52 finds itself in places it in a position where even former B-52 crew members are hard pressed to recommend the platform to military and civilian decision makers. It's at the proverbial event horizon of not being able to integrate wit
Former B-52 Guy, CONUS
5/14/2012 2:57:34 PM ET Since 1990 there have been three B-52 losses with no survivors. The B-52 egress system is based upon 50 year old ejection seat technology with a very limited ejection envelope. If this aircraft is going to remain in service the egress system needs to be upgraded with modern ejection seats such as ACES-II or Martin-Baker.
Retired BUFF driver, US
5/14/2012 1:26:55 PM ET @ SNCO RET 89.... Upgrading and re-engining the B-52 is not cost effective. They tried that several years ago when they wanted to go to four. The cost to modify existing systems and upgrade structural members was beyond 1 billion.
FormerBuff, Hill AFB UT
5/14/2012 1:26:23 PM ET Showing the love. I like to see the General sitting in a B-52 and yet still wearing a wing patch from an ICBM unit. He plays no favorites. Good work.
RG III, Pentagon
5/14/2012 7:16:19 AM ET Why short change the upgrades Reducing the 8 engines to 4 High output Low fuel consumption engines would reduce operating costs and prolong the life of the B52H weapon system and reduce the planning urgency to place a new designed bomber into production. In these times of reducing costs and head count it just makes too much sense not to upgrade the engines just look at the C5M as an example of how much better new engines add to the mission capability. Air Force Planners-money Management Wakeup smell the coffee
