B-52 upgrades aid mission safety, success Published Nov. 4, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Anthony M. Williamson 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The Military Channel's "Top Ten" show recently named the B-52H Stratofortress the "number one bomber of all time." However, the B-52 is not without its maintenance and operational challenges and operates with many older systems. The Air Force has recently found a solution to modernize the B-52 with the advent of the Avionics Midlife Improvement modification. "This aircraft modification has vastly improved the war fighting capability of the B-52," said Senior Master Sgt. Robert Wege, 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assistant maintenance superintendent. The AMI upgrade includes replacing the inertial navigation system, the avionics control unit (data processors), the data transfer system (disk drive), and all other associated hardware and software. "AMI is the modern edge to a proven instrument of peace, allowing the B-52 to be a valuable asset well into the 21st century." said Capt. James D. Miller, 23rd Bomb Squadron B-52 radar navigator. Additionally, a Pentium III-based solution will be added to cut software load time, troubleshooting time, and system operational checks by nearly 75 percent. All while ensuring delivery of weapons with the utmost accuracy. The inception of the AMI modification has thrilled aircraft maintainers and aircrews. "Without this avionics upgrade, it would be difficult for weapons coming online today or in the future to be able to operate with the B-52 as their platform," Sergeant Wege said. One of the maintenance advantages of the new AVI modification is the time once devoted to repairing the antiquated systems, can now be used toward repairing other systems. Additionally, this means time between failures on avionics parts has increased to an astounding 6,000-9,000 operating hours. An added advantage to the AMI is support sections no longer have to process orders for these parts, and taxpayers no longer have to pay to replace malfunctioning components. "For aircrew members, these improvements mean greatly enhanced system reliability," Sergeant Wege said. Navigation systems will no longer "spin down" in mid-flight and processors will no longer crash during critical moments. "When lives are on the line, you want to know that you are utilizing the most reliable equipment available," Sergeant Wege added. "That is what the Avionics Midlife Improvement project has brought to the B-52. Improvements like these are going to ensure that our airframe will be the one protecting this nation up to and beyond the year 2040."