U.S. strategic aviation currently has 75 B-52 strategic bombers, newest of which was manufactured back in 1962. Actual readiness level of these aircraft fleet does not exceed 50-55%, directly affecting not only combat mission performance, like during Middle East combat operations, but also advanced weapons programs.
For example, U.S. Congressional watchdog GAO is concerned that unsatisfactory B-52 fleet condition creates problems for newest AGM-181A LRSO cruise missile testing. The War Zone reports this.
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As publication authors write citing GAO information, from October 2024 through summer 2026, nine test launches of this missile were conducted. Additionally, in December 2022 report Pentagon claimed nine more AGM-181A LRSO test flights.
However before planned operational testing start in September 2027, as many as 27 more AGM-181 test launches must be conducted, and it is against this backdrop that B-52 fleet condition question arises as only strategic bomber type engaged in this cruise missile type tests.
Because proceeding from 50-55% fleet readiness indicator, only 35-40 B-52s constantly fly, and of entire 75 aircraft quantity only one aircraft is reserved specifically for test flights. Overall picture is also complicated by loss of one B-52 in June this year, which was to conduct new onboard radar testing for B-52J modernization program.
Besides B-52 fleet readiness factor, overall AGM-181 program situation is also affected by missile component readiness degree situation, like onboard software and nuclear warhead. But interestingly, against above-described backdrop, Air Force command demonstrates overall optimism on AGM-181A LRSO program topic and that all work will be realized on schedule.
Worth separately emphasizing Americans have been running newest AGM-181A LRSO cruise missile program since 2020, it should become new nuclear weapons carrier replacing existing subsonic AGM-86 cruise missiles.
Under current plan, AGM-181 initial operational capability stage should be reached in November 2030, and besides B-52, advanced B-21 Raider strategic bomber should also become this cruise missile carrier.
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