B-52H.

This is coolbert:

On the wings of a B-52 we bring out H-bombs to you. At least until 2050 that is.

Once more from Freeper and thanks to same:

"The B-52 Will Fly and Fight for 100 Years"

"The B-52H fleet, already nearly 60 years old, has been the recipient of a steady but slow stream of upgrades to keep the planes useful. The Air Force is now committing to flying the bomber into the 2050s, a feat that will require even more improvements."

"The U.S. Air Force ordered 102 B-52H bombers during the Cold War, with the first planes delivered in May 1961. The old eight-engined warhorse has been in continuous service ever since . . . The Air Force plans to keep flying the remaining 76 B-52Hs through 2050, with some almost certainly flying until 2061."

I think the speculation was the B-52 previously would be around until the year 2030 and people were amazed by that.

Easier and cheaper to make improvements incremental and keep existing bomber aircraft flying than manufacture newer combat aircraft [B-21 for instance]. Budget constraints mandate the B-52 be kept in the air and operational.

AND STILL AN EFFECTIVE WEAPON DELIVERY SYSTEM PERHAPS EMPLOYING HYPERSONIC MISSILES OF THE PROMPT GLOBAL STRIKE VARIETY.

I  have it on good authority that not since the days of the ships-of-the-line of the Royal Navy during the Age of Sail have any weapons system lasted as long and also been so effective.

coolbert.