"Transforming the B-52 into a maritime patrol plane." Topic

"The U.S. Air Force's B-52 bomber is not a natural sea hunter. Boeing designed the huge, eight-engine warplane in the 1940s for atomic raids against Soviet cities.

But today the venerable B-52 has become a powerful maritime patrol and strike plane, thanks to a long history of upgrades culminating in the recent addition of an unassuming-looking underwing pod containing a high-tech search radar.

Starting in April, the Air Force fitted an AN/ASQ-236 Dragon's Eye pod, built by Northrop Grumman, to a B-52H from the 93rd Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana…"
Full article here
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Amicalement
Armand

The BUFF is an awesome platform. Who would have thought that a 70 year old design would continue to be relevant? The BUFF continues to reinvent itself… Maybe we need to build more of them?

As for its naval ability, back in the 90's I got sucked into the Harpoon computer game. The B52G with P3 Oroins and AWACS scouts, and a goodly escort of F15 Eagles, was a nasty collection of birds to beat. Toss in a carrier battle group and some LA fast attacks and the Soviet Baltic fleet was spam in a can. The new B52H seems even nastier. We need at least a full squadron of these birds in both oceans! Just don't mass them all together at Hickham and Clark!

More BUFFs. Now, there's a contract I'd support. If LRS-B goes belly-up, I vote for a 250-airframe contract to Boeing…

With the P-8 coming on line , I don't see the need. Also I don't see the Navy buying 52s or it allowing the Air Force to encroach on it territory of maritime surveillance.

Windward, the B-52 has been used in the maritime role for decades.

Also interesting would be USAF adoption of the P-8 as a close air support aircraft.
Seriously. Loiter capability, massive room for internal ISR and technicians, wing hardpoints, and a weapons bay.