Introduced in 1955, it is the combat plane oldest of the United States air fleetfundamental part of its nuclear triad from the Cold War and with plans so that Scope of the Century of Servicereaching the next decade of the 50. In all this time, the United States has not developed any other plane that has occupied the place of the B-52 Stratofortress In the Air Force and now China has come to prove him.
A new study published in the Chinese magazine Modern Defense Technologycarried out by military researchers of the Early Air Force Academy of the EPL (Popular Liberation Army) In Wuhan, identifies the B-52H Stratofortress of the US Air Force. as the most significant threat in case of a limited tactical nuclear attack against China. In the evaluation, an American air penetration operation (PCA) was simulated against Chinese naval assets and military infrastructure in the interior of the country, according to South China Morning Post.
Despite its age, The B-52H beat more modern platforms in all aspects of the operation: From deployment to the final attack. According to the researchers, its load capacity – it is the American bomber with the greatest variety and amount of weapons -, scope –14,000 km without refueling– and modernized plane grant greater strategic value in a limited nuclear conflict, even above fighters or poachers.
The PCA model analyzed in the study also includes poachers such as hunting F-35a and the bomber B-2 Spiritsupported by Unmanned systems. These platforms can transport tactical nuclear loads such as the thermonuclear pump B61-12up to 50 kilotonsdesigned not only for deterrence, but also for Attack high value enemy assets, such as A2/AD nodes (anti -access/area denial). This last concept refers to systems and capacities that seek to prevent enemy forces from entering a strategic region and include anti -air defenses, high -range artillery and electronic warfare from anti -mines and naval mines.
The study highlights its ability to Cause structural destruction Through shock, radiation and persistent radioactive pollution waves, effects that exceed those of conventional ammunition.
The researchers point out that the B-52H can equip up to four nuclear bombsmore than any other current US platform. UU. It has been the subject of a deep modernizationincluding new radar systems and limited improvements at electronic warfare. The study concludes that the B-52H should be considered The most prominent threat in a PCA type attack scenario.
To counteract it, the team led by Wang Bingqie recommends Improve early alert networks, expand surveillance coverage and reinforce air defense systemsespecially in possible entrance runners.
Although the B-52H is considered the greatest threat, the study also evaluates the risks raised by the F-35A and B-2. The team highlighted the importance of have real -time intelligence to discern whether enemy or conventional attacks. Chinese capacities in electronic war and cyber operations They were also pointed out as key countermeasures: interrupting communications and navigation systems of US attack assets could significantly reduce their efficacy in disputed air spaces.
The article also offers technical observations on the furtive aircraft of the United States. According to the study, Chinese radar systems can detect aircraft with a radar section of 0.1 square meters (such as F-22 and B-2) at distances up to 400 km. In addition, he mentions the development of Hypersonic systems of air defense in China, with scope greater than the 1,000 km.
The researchers also classified auxiliary platforms such as the E-3 Sentry Awacs as priorities for early neutralization in conventional scenarios. On the contrary, aircraft such as C-17 or the B-1b They were considered minor threats due to its limited utility in combat or obsolete electronics.
Currently, Boeing is in the process of convert the 76 B-52Horiginally manufactured between 1961 and 1962, of the United States Army with improvements in their engines, plane and electronic war. Your new denomination will be B-52J.