Five aircraft from AFMC will be on static display on Boeing Plaza, led by the B-52 Bomber and C-17 Globemaster, EAA confirmed Thursday.

EAA’s annual fly-in convention is scheduled for July 22-28 at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

• READ MORE: Flying In to AirVenture: A Carefully Orchestrated Cacophony of Chaos

B-52H Bomber Stratofortress

The B-52H has been part of the Air Force arsenal since 1952. Designed as a strategic long-range bomber, it can carry up to 70,000 pounds of ordinance. It was built to carry nuclear weapons then later modified for conventional ordinance.

It bomber has been used extensively in major military campaigns since the 1950s. This particular aircraft is based at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

C-17 Globemaster III

The C-17 is one of the most prevalent large cargo airplanes in the world, capable of airlifting hundreds of troops as well as heavy equipment. Often utilized for humanitarian relief missions, the aircraft has a range of nearly 3,000 miles.

F-15EX Eagle II

The F-15EX is a variant of the F-15E Strike Eagle with an updated avionics package. The fighter is a refined version of the F-15E, sporting a revised wing structure that increased the aircraft’s service life by 20,000 hours.

• READ MORE: Oshkosh 2024 Notice Outlines Changes for Pilots Flying to AirVenture

Beechcraft C-12 Huron

The C-12 is the military designation for a series of twin-prop aircraft based on the Beechcraft 1900 and Super King Air. The C-12 is used for embassy support, light cargo transport, and medical evacuation. 

X-40 Space Maneuver Vehicle

The X-40 is an unmanned, unpowered glide test vehicle created as a test platform for the X-37 Future-X reusable launch vehicle. It was designed by Boeing then delivered to NASA, which modified it to conduct further testing.

The X-40 will be showcased along with a B-52 munitions display inside a tent adjoining Boeing Plaza. Accompanying the aircraft will be a large number of Air Force personnel on hand to answer questions about their missions.

In addition, on July 27 the AFMC will also be featured during an evening program, focusing on test pilot school and the impact on global aviation, at the Theater in the Woods. 

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“Sweden is leading the exercise within its territorial boundaries,” the Swedish Armed Forces said in a statement. “This exercise has been planned for a long time and is a bilateral effort between Sweden and the USA. After passing through Swedish airspace, the aircraft will join the NATO exercise Nordic Response, which is part of NATO’s Steadfast Defender series.”

The joint formation flyover, which took place between 12:40 p.m. and 1 p.m. Central European Time, was scheduled in the wake of news that Sweden was on the cusp of becoming the alliance’s newest member, according to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe & Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA). The bombers and fighters flew over Avicii Arena, Sweden’s Parliament House, Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ESSA), and Uppsala Air Base (ESCM).

WATCH: Today a B-1B Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress alongside two Swedish Gripens soared over Stockholm Sweden! #NATO
@US_EUCOM @usembsweden @AFGlobalStrike @US_STRATCOM @NATO_AIRCOM pic.twitter.com/PehB190AIW

— USAFE-AFAFRICA (@HQUSAFEAFAF) March 6, 2024

• READ MORE: U.S. Air Force B-1s Train with Swedish Fighters

“The strong and enduring bond between the United States and Sweden, rooted in mutual interests and shared values, is poised to reach new heights,” General James Hecker, commander of USAFE-AFAFRICA and NATO Allied Air Command, said in a statement. “As Sweden prepares to join the NATO alliance as its 32nd member, we eagerly anticipate deepening our collaboration with our Swedish allies. Initiatives like this joint flyover are just the beginning, as we work together to advance international stability and security.” 

According to reports, that bond will deepen imminently.

“Monday is the time,” when at lunchtime Sweden’s flag will be raised at NATO Headquarters in Brussels as a celebratory marker for its inclusion, Swedish TV4 Nyheterna said Wednesday.

• READ MORE: Italy to Train Sweden’s Fighter Pilots

Sweden’s formal NATO membership, however, could perhaps come online as soon as Thursday, according to Politico. “The exact time of entry depends on Hungary’s pace of registering its confirmation of Sweden’s bid in Washington,” Politico reported.

Sweden’s military capability has garnered a warm welcome from NATO, which said the country’s joining comes at a “crucial time” amid heightened regional tensions.

The Stockholm flyover represents the latest joint demonstration between the U.S. and Sweden. Last week, U.S. B-1 Lancers conducted surface attack, air interdiction, and close air support scenario training with Swedish JAS 39 Gripens.

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“On [Monday], the [PAF] and the U.S. Pacific Air Forces carried out the Combined Air Patrol as Phase 2 of the 3rd Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), covering areas 90 nm west of Candon, Ilocos Sur, and 50 nm northwest of Lubang, Mindoro,” the Philippine Air Force said. “With this activity, the PAF underscores its commitment and readiness to support the [Armed Forces of the Philippines’] efforts in safeguarding the national territory and sovereign rights, and upholding regional peace and security.”

• READ MORE: DOD: China’s Military Catching Up with Western Air Forces

The joint air patrol in the EEZ—an area often subject to territorial disputes with China—was criticized by the Chinese state media as a “political show,” Stars & Stripes reported. 

In a statement, the People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command accused the Philippines of collaborating with “countries outside the region to stir up troubles in the South China Sea by organizing the so-called ‘joint air patrol’ and hyping it up publicly.”

Recently a @usairforce B-52H Stratofortress flew alongside 3 @PhilAirForce FA-50s during a routine Bomber Task Force deployment in the @INDOPACOM theater. #PACAFBTF #PACAF2030 #PAF #USAF pic.twitter.com/5yjKI0PItp

— PACAF (@PACAF) February 22, 2024

• READ MORE: B-52 Bombers Deploy as Part of Indo-Pacific ‘Strategic Deterrence Mission’ 

The bomber, which is assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, and designated to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, has been in the region since late January and participated in the three-week Cope North 24 multilateral exercise underway in the Indo-Pacific region.

This year, an estimated 1,700 U.S. airmen, Marines, and sailors were expected to participate in Cope North 24, as well as 700 service members from allied forces. According to the U.S. Air Force, 85 aircraft are expected to fly 1,400 missions across three islands and six airfields.

• READ MORE: Cope North Elephant Walk Showcases Multinational Coalition Air Power

“These B-52 bombers are part of the bomber task force to support strategic deterrence missions aimed at reinforcing the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region,” Sabrina Singh, deputy Pentagon press secretary, said Thursday. “The 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron will integrate alongside allies and partners to demonstrate U.S. commitment to security and stability throughout the region.”

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The aircraft assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, arrived at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in late January, deploying as part of a Bomber Task Force (BTF). They are designated to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, which is integrated into joint exercises with allies and regional partners.

“Designed to showcase the U.S.’s ability to deter, deny, and dominate, BTF missions aim to influence and dissuade aggression from adversaries or competitors,” the Air Force said in a statement.

• READ MORE: DOD: China’s Military Catching Up with Western Air Forces

The quarterly bilateral exercise—dubbed “Cope North 2024″—launches Monday and includes forces from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), Stars and Stripes reported.

RAAF deployed a C-27J Spartan multirole military transport aircraft along with 215 aviators to participate in Cope North, it said Monday.

“Exercise Cope North will provide training opportunities and invaluable experience for our people in a challenging scenario,” RAAF Task Group Commander, Group Captain Kylie Green said. “We are focused on deepening relationships with the United Pacific Air Forces and the [JASDF], and the participation of Canada, France and the Republic of Korea.”

Exercise Cope North, which was originally established in 1978, is the U.S. Pacific Air Forces’ largest multilateral exercise.

• READ MORE: U.S. Air Force Pilot Safe After F-16 Crash in South Korea 

This year, an estimated 1,700 U.S. airmen, Marines, and sailors are expected to participate, as well as 700 service members from JASDF, RAAF, French Air and Space Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Republic of Korea Air Force. According to the U.S. Air Force, 85 aircraft are expected to fly 1,400 missions across three islands and six airfields.

Cope North 24 will conclude February 23.

The BUFF is here as part of a Bomber Task Force to support strategic deterrence missions aimed at reinforcing the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region. #FreeandOpenIndoPacific@usairforce | @INDOPACOM | @AFGlobalStrike | @TeamMinot https://t.co/F1VP7BW1SA pic.twitter.com/rDIf2Ye2gg

— PACAF (@PACAF) February 2, 2024

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During the nighttime intercept, the B-52 was conducting routine and lawful operations over the South China Sea in international airspace.

• READ MORE: DOD: China’s Military Catching Up with Western Air Forces

“… The PRC pilot flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner [and] demonstrated poor airmanship by closing with uncontrolled excessive speed, flying below, in front of, and within 10 feet of the B-52, putting both aircraft in danger of collision,” INDOPACOM said in a statement Thursday. “We are concerned this pilot was unaware of how close he came to causing a collision.”

• READ MORE: DOD Reports Rise in China’s Intercepts of U.S. Aircraft

The incident occurred just days after U.S. defense officials detailed China’s pattern of  “unsafe, unprofessional” behaviors that seek to influence lawful international operations by the U.S. and other nations in a 212-page China military power report to Congress. 

In 2022, there was also an uptick in the country’s dangerous or coercive actions in the region, according to the Department of Defense.

“For example, between the fall of 2021 and fall of 2023, the United States documented over 180 instances of PLA [People’s Liberation Army] coercive and risky air intercepts against U.S. aircraft in the region,” the report said. “Over the same period, the PLA also conducted around 100 instances of coercive and risky operational behavior in the air domain against U.S. allies and partners.”

Pentagon officials also released a collection of declassified images and videos of 15 recent cases in what they said underscored the disturbing trend. 

#USINDOPACOM Statement on #PRC Unprofessional Intercept: "A People’s Republic of China J-11 pilot executed an unsafe intercept of a U.S. Air Force B-52 aircraft which was lawfully conducting routine operations over the South China Sea…"

Read morehttps://t.co/UnCmnneAr7 pic.twitter.com/6k79Koah3V

— U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (@INDOPACOM) October 26, 2023

The post Chinese Fighter Intercepts Air Force B-52 Over South China Sea appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The drill—the first joint aerial exercise of its kind—occurred as a response to nuclear threats by North Korea and followed an August meeting of the countries’ leaders at Camp David, Maryland. Following that meeting, President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and ROK President Yoon Suk Yoel pledged to hold “annual, named, multidomain trilateral exercises,” Air and Space Forces reported.

• READ MORE: DOD: China’s Military Catching Up with Western Air Forces 

Flanking the U.S. Air Force bomber were three U.S. F-16s from the 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Wing based at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea; four F-2s from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s (JASDF) 8th Air Wing based at Tsuiki Air Field; and two F-15Ks from the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (ROKAF) 11th Wing.

“This aerial exercise builds on the continued interoperability of our collective forces and demonstrates the strength of the trilateral relationship with our Japan and Republic of Korea allies,” the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement. “Our international cooperation is reflective of our shared values and resolve against those who challenge regional stability. We remain committed to peace and prosperity in the region to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

• READ MORE: DOD Reports Rise in China’s Intercepts of U.S. Aircraft

In a statement, the JASDF said the exercise enhanced its pilots tactical skills and facilitated formation and navigation training while also strengthening cooperation with the U.S. Air Force and the ROKAF.

About 80,000 U.S. troops are based in Japan and South Korea, according to The Associated Press.

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History of the B-52G

The Museum’s B-52G Stratofortress was built in Wichita, Kansas, and delivered to the United States Air Force on September 23, 1960, to be part of the Air Force’s Strategic Air Command.

In 1963 the aircraft was transferred to the Air Force’s 397th Bombardment Wing at Dow Air Force Base in Bangor, Maine. According to Christian Gurling, the Curator of the Tillamook Air Museum, in 1964 the city of Bangor was given honorary ownership of the airplane and the bomber was christened The City of Bangor by Sheryllee Kay Jones, who held the title of Miss Bangor, having won a beauty contest that was a precursor to the Miss America pageant. A bottle of champagne was ceremoniously broken on the nose of the airplane.

The former pageant winner, now Sherry Lowe, will be traveling to Oregon to help the museum re-christen the airplane as Osiris, the Egyptian god of the dead.

The airplane has had many names and many missions over the years, both in the U.S. and overseas. Among the most notable, in 1972, the B-52 took part in Operation Bullet Shot and Operation Linebacker II over North Vietnam.

In 1991 the museum’s B-52 was part of the first Gulf War.

“Along the way, the airplane was also given several more names,” says Gurling. “In addition to City of Bangor, the aircraft was called Soiee, Armed & Ready/Make My Day, Heavy Metal, and Boodrow.”

In November 12, 1991, the airplane was retired to the Aircraft Storage & Disposition Center at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, colloquially known as “the boneyard.” Per the disarmament treaty between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, the aircraft was cut into five pieces. The cockpit was obtained by the now-defunct Southern Utah Aviation Museum with a plan to restore it. When the museum closed, the cockpit was sold to Doug Scroggins of Scroggins Aviation Mockup & Effects, a company that supplies Hollywood with aviation mockups for movies.

A series of small misfortunes followed. According to Gurling, “After Scroggins Aviation took possession of the piece, the cockpit was vandalized with spray paint. To remove the spray paint, the airplane was power washed, which unfortunately ruined the airplane’s paint job.”

Scroggins Aviation subsequently loaned the B-52 to the Tillamook Air Museum. The cockpit has been under restoration since September 2021. It will be restored to the configuration and colors it wore during the first Gulf War.

Additional Cockpits on Display 

The museum takes great pride in its collection of cockpit trainers which are on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.

“All the instruments are there, everything is complete,” notes Gurling. “Since we have had them at the museum people have been allowed inside them.”

The trainers are located on a runway display and represent a Corsair, A4 Skyhawk, and Sky Warrior.

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“Our new EPGS for the B-52 will leverage proven commercial technology to support greener aircraft operation while also paving the way for future platform enhancements that will extend the operational service life of the Stratofortress for decades to come,” Stan Kottke, vice president of electric power systems for Collins Aerospace, said in a statement. 

As of June 2019, the U.S. Air Force has 76 B-52s in its inventory. By making the switch to electric powertrains, the Air Force aims to reduce its carbon footprint and preserve natural resources.  The EPGS will help the Air Force achieve a 30 percent improvement in fuel efficiency for the B-52, according to a Collins news release. 

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The new EPGS will include eight generators per aircraft, a lucrative deal for the company considering the Air Force’s fleet size. When installed, the redundant system will provide enough electric power to support electronic upgrades such as radar, avionics, and mission systems.

Collins will begin working on the new program at its Electric Power Systems Center of Excellence in Rockford, Illinois, and plans to hire more than 60 people to support the program. The Rockford location is also home to the Collins’ Ram Air Turbine wind tunnel test facility, expected to be operational in summer 2022.

Wheels and Brakes

It’s not all powerplants. Collins was previously selected to upgrade the B-52’s wheel and carbon brakes in April 2021. Using its proprietary Duracarb carbon heat sink material, Collins says the upgrade will allow the B-52 to conduct more landings between overhauls, which will save money.

In that deal, Ajay Mahajan, vice president of landing systems for Collins Aerospace, celebrated the enduring partnership between Collins and the B-52.

“Since the first Stratofortress variant took flight in the 1950s, Collins Aerospace has been onboard,” Mahajan said.

In fact, Collins has supplied more wheels and brakes for the Air Force across its F-15, F-16, C-5, C-130, and Global Hawk fleets than any other provider, and is one of the leading providers for C-130 brakes worldwide. It now hopes to work with the Air Force and Boeing to provide additional upgrade options to modernize the B-52, such as including communications and avionics upgrades.

News of the deal was a good sign for Raytheon as its share price climbed from $89 on January 11 to as high as $91.52 a day later. The news was a double benefit for Boeing, when paired with its announcement of fourth-quarter deliveries. As of Wednesday afternoon, Boeing’s share price is the highest it has been in a month at $218, a 10 percent bump in the past month.

Raytheon is scheduled to report its fourth-quarter and full-year financials on Tuesday, January 25.

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Boeing’s oldest jet-powered bomber, the B-52 Stratofortress is, at age 75, older than most Flying readers. According to a story in DefenseOne.com, reengining work scheduled for later this year on the 76 aircraft remaining in the US Air Force inventory could keep the historic machines flying until they’re more than 100 years old. Boeing’s YB-52 prototype first flew in April 1952. “The new engines are intended to enable the B-52 to serve alongside the future B-21 Raider as the airborne leg of the nuclear triad into the 2050s,” the story reported.

While the B-52 is built as tough as a tank, Maj. Gen. Andrew Gebara, director of strategic plans, programs, and requirements at Air Force Global Strike Command spoke to the airplane’s versatility as a major factor in its longevity in the DefenseOne.com story. “When we built the B-52, it was supposed to be a high-altitude nuclear bomber, right? Going to the adversary,” said Gebara. “Then it became a low-altitude nuclear bomber. And then it became a high-altitude carpet bomber in Vietnam. And then it became a standoff cruise missile shooter in Desert Storm. And then it became a precision strike close air support platform in Afghanistan and Iraq. And now we’re going to make it the first hypersonic shooter in the American inventory,” Gebara concluded, referring to the integration testing underway to fit the B-52 with the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon.

Powered by 8 Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofan engines, the Stratofortress can lift up to 70,000 lbs. of payload and cruise at speeds of up to Mach 0.86. To feed those engines, the B-52 carries up to 312,197 lbs. of fuel—and max takeoff weight is 488,000 lbs., a truly heavy bomber.

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