New Networked B-52 “J” Variant To Fire Hypersonic Weapons

by Kris Osborn, Center for Military Modernization

(Washington D.C.) A new fuel-efficient, high-tech engine, internal weapons bay increasing attack option, digital communications network able to share real-time intelligence data, and the ability to fire hypersonic missiles and nuclear-capable cruise missiles … are all signature elements of the Air Force’s newly designated B-52 “J” variant.

Updating to “J”

The “J” just might enable the iconic Vietnam-era workhorse bomber to fly for 100 years, as engineers, maintainers, and weapons developers have for many years said that the B-52’s airframes have remained “viable” and indeed highly capable of continued service. In some cases, Air Force and industry experts have reinforced or enhanced the fuselage, yet the fundamental structure of the bomber’s airframe has remained intact. This being said, today’s emerging B-52J is by no means the bomber that emerged decades ago and carpet-bombed enemy territories in Vietnam, rather it is almost an entirely different airplane. One could observe that the “J” variant represents a series of upgrades that have been progressively unfolding over the course of many years.

Upgrades and Variants Began a Decade Ago

As far back as 10 years ago, the Air Force Made rapid strides by integrating a new weapons bay, communications system, and bombing technology. Added to this, the service has worked for many years on re-engineering the B-52 for continued service into the 2050s and even beyond.

The new internal weapons bay effort, the Internal Weapons Bay Upgrade, has been underway for years. The upgrade enables the aircraft to carry more Joint-Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JDAMS) and a weapon called the Miniature Air Launched Decoy jammer variant. Using a digital interface and rotary launcher, the emerging IWBU massively increases the B-52s weapons payload, enabling it to carry up to eight of the newest “J” Series bombs. This precision-bombing technology has been fundamental to the tactical and technological maturation of the B-52, which has evolved from a conventional bomb or so called “carpet bombing” platform into one capable of precision-strikes, hypersonic attacks, long-range cruise missile attacks, and possibly even a drone-launching capability.

B-52 Hypersonics and Radios

The precise weapon may yet be determined, though the B-52 will undoubtedly fire hypersonic weapons. The aircraft did launch the Air-Launched Rapid Response hypersonic weapon in a successful test, however, the service is pausing and potentially cutting or massively scaling back the program. Nonetheless, this does not mean the B-52 will not carry and fire hypersonic weapons but will rather experiment with integrating other hypersonic weapons. In addition to this, the B-52 will also fire the nuclear-capable Long Range Standoff Weapon as part of the air leg of the nuclear triad.

The Air Force has also been integrating a new AESA radar and digital networking system called CONECT, which among other things, enables B-52 crews to receive real-time intelligence data in flight such as updated targeting information. As part of this communications overhaul, the B-52 is integrating new communications and networking technologies, which include a rapid, retargeting low-frequency radio replacement to support nuclear weapons communications.