Many posts have discussed the US military.
Brandon J. Weichert at The National Interest:
The B-52 Stratofortress, designed in 1948 and first flown in 1952, is a durable and highly effective long-range bomber that has served the U.S. Air Force for over 70 years. Some say it might be the best bomber ever to fly.
Despite lacking modern stealth capabilities, it has played a crucial role in every U.S. conflict since World War II, from Vietnam to the fight against ISIS.
Powered by eight Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines and capable of carrying a 70,000-pound payload, the B-52 remains a reliable and cost-effective asset. Its longevity highlights both its robust design and the contrast with today’s often over-complicated and expensive military acquisition programs.
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It cannot fly at supersonic speeds, but it does fly at 50,000 feet, and it can even help the U.S. Navy with anti-ship and mine-laying missions.
More than anything, the B-52 is durable. With just a few augmentations to the plane here and there each generation, the B-52 flies on, and it will continue to fly until it just about reaches its centennial.
Think about that. The B-52 Stratofortress was designed and deployed at a time when Harry S. Truman was president. Yet it remains the primary strategic bomber of the U.S. Air Force to this day.
That’s an incredible feat.
