A retired B-52H pulled from the boneyard will return to the active fleet this year after its first depot maintenance in more than a decade. “Ghost Rider,” tail number 61-007, was in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., for more than seven years before being tapped for resurrection, according to an Air Force Materiel Command release. The aircraft is replacing an operational Stratofortress that was severely damaged by a cockpit fire in 2014, and will be the first B-52H regenerated back into the fleet. The aircraft last went through depot maintenance at Tinker AFB, Okla., in 2004. “This is more than just a regular PDM,” said Janis Wood, deputy director for the 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group at Tinker, in the release. “After seven years in storage, there are many modifications and inspections that must be done to ensure a safe and reliable aircraft.” The rehab is scheduled to finish in December, and the bomber will re-enter the inventory at Minot AFB, N.D., shortly thereafter.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
