The Human

The B-52 Stratofortress has been a cornerstone of US airpower since 1955. This week, the US Air Force confirmed it has begun formal studies for the bomber’s eventual successor.

The central trade-off under review: prioritizing advanced stealth capabilities to pe*****te contested airspace, versus maximizing stand-off capacity to deliver payloads from safer distances.

As the global threat environment evolves, the decision will shape American strategic deterrence for decades to come.

The B-52 fleet, already slated for upgrades to keep it flying into the 2050s, now faces the first real step toward its replacement.