Summary

  • Congress requires restoration of nuclear capabilities to B-52 bombers by 2029.
  • Senate backs bill to include B-52s in nuclear triad over opposition.
  • U.S. beefing up its nuclear arsenal amid Russia’s treaty suspension and China’s expansion.

As part of the New START arms control treaty signed with Russia in 2011, the United States converted many of its B-52H Stratofortress bombers only to carry conventional munitions. The treaty expires in February 2026, and Congress is now laying the groundwork to restore nuclear weapon capabilities to approximately 30 B-52H Stratofortress bombers. Concurrently, Congress also requires the Air Force to find ways of making the B-52 more comfortable for the crew flying them. The B-52 may already be the oldest bomber in the Air Force, but it is planned to be overhauled and will keep flying until the middle of the century.

B-52 Stratofortresses to carry nukes again

According to a report by Defense News, the Senate and House defense policy bills for fiscal year 2025 “would require the Air Force to make once again these conventional bombers part of the nuclear triad.” The article also states that the measure will require restoring nuclear capabilities by 2029.

US Air Force B-52 bomber

Photo: US Air Force

The Senate Armed Services Committee also voted 22-3 on Friday to advance its bill that contains the measure. According to Defense News, the House passed the amendment on the Stratofortresses by voice vote over opposition from Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee.

Adam Smith stated that the DoD is more interested in focusing on the next-generation B-21 stealth bomber (now in low-rate production) than the nuclear capabilities of the old B-52s. Opponents argue it will complicate efforts to extend the lifespan of the aging bomber fleet (built in the 1960s).

B-52 lands an Andersen AFB Guam (jpg)-1

B-52s are capable of carrying AGM-86Bs, air-launched cruise missiles, and ALCMs nuclear weapons. The Air Force has around 76 Stratofortresses in service; however, it has removed the ability to carry those nuclear missiles from around 30 of them.

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No new New START

The move comes as the US is seeking to beef up its nuclear arsenal after Russia suspended the treaty. At the same time, China is rapidly expanding its strategic warhead production (China was never a signatory to the treaty). The United States is one of a select number of countries that employ a nuclear triad (where nuclear weapons can be delivered by aircraft, submarines, and ICBMs).

The United Kingdom can only fire nuclear missiles from submarines. Most French nuclear missiles can only be fired from submarines; however, a few nuclear cruise missiles (ALCMs) can be fired from French fighter jets.

A_Boeing_B-52H_Stratofortress_in_flight_over_the_Persian_Gulf_(190521-F-XN348-9173)

The New START was ratified by the Senate in 2010 and extended for five years in 2021. Russia suspended its participation in 2023 and has since indicated that it is unwilling to negotiate a follow-on agreement. The treaty also limits the two nations to 1,550 deployed warheads.

The Pentagon believes China will reach 1,500 operational warheads by 2035 – a similar number to the deployed warheads Russia and the United States maintain (although not similar to their total number of warheads).

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