Program · United States · U.S. Air Force
B-52 Stratofortress
B-52 Stratofortress · Fielded · U.S. Air Force
Cost to the Government
| Measure | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Program totals · 2 | ||
| Projected modernization portfolioEngine, radar and communications modernization across the fleet; not a per-aircraft price or a pure R&D total. | $21BGAO reported $ | B-52 modernization: projected $21 billion in upgrades, GAO-26-109272 GAO · figure 2026 GAO review |
| R&D program totalA separately identified lifetime development total has not been verified. This is not a zero-cost estimate. | Not established | — |
| Unit costs · 1 | ||
| Published acquisition / aircraftHistorical fact-sheet figure; not a current replacement quote. | $84MConstant FY2012 $ | B-52H fact sheet U.S. Air Force · figure Jun 2019 |
| Quantities · 2 | ||
| Published U.S. fleet snapshotSource inventory snapshot; subsequent retirements, transfers and losses are not inferred. | 76U.S. only | B-52H fact sheet U.S. Air Force · figure Jun 2019 |
| Program quantityA comparable total acquisition quantity has not been verified. | Not established | — |
| Operating costs · 2 | ||
| Annual O&S / aircraftHistorical average for the source study population; not a marginal mission cost. | $18.21M / yrConstant FY2018 $ | Weapon System Sustainment: GAO-21-101SP, FY2011–2018 operating costs GAO · figure FY2018 |
| Reimbursement / flight hourPublished billing rate for use by another DoD component. It is not the fully burdened cost of ownership. | $66,003 / hrNominal $; Other DoD Component | FY2026 aircraft hourly reimbursement rates, Other DoD Component column DoD Comptroller · figure FY2026 |
Program totals · 2
- Projected modernization portfolioEngine, radar and communications modernization across the fleet; not a per-aircraft price or a pure R&D total.B-52 modernization: projected $21 billion in upgrades, GAO-26-109272 GAO · figure 2026 GAO review$21BGAO reported $
- R&D program totalA separately identified lifetime development total has not been verified. This is not a zero-cost estimate.Source not recordedNot established
Unit costs · 1
- Published acquisition / aircraftHistorical fact-sheet figure; not a current replacement quote.B-52H fact sheet U.S. Air Force · figure Jun 2019$84MConstant FY2012 $
Quantities · 2
- Published U.S. fleet snapshotSource inventory snapshot; subsequent retirements, transfers and losses are not inferred.B-52H fact sheet U.S. Air Force · figure Jun 201976U.S. only
- Program quantityA comparable total acquisition quantity has not been verified.Source not recordedNot established
Operating costs · 2
- Annual O&S / aircraftHistorical average for the source study population; not a marginal mission cost.Weapon System Sustainment: GAO-21-101SP, FY2011–2018 operating costs GAO · figure FY2018$18.21M / yrConstant FY2018 $
- Reimbursement / flight hourPublished billing rate for use by another DoD component. It is not the fully burdened cost of ownership.FY2026 aircraft hourly reimbursement rates, Other DoD Component column DoD Comptroller · figure FY2026$66,003 / hrNominal $; Other DoD Component
Earlier observations · 4
Superseded estimates and prices, each in its original scope and dollar basis.
| Measure | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Unit costs · 1 | ||
| Published acquisition / aircraftHistorical fact-sheet figure; not a current replacement quote. | $84MConstant FY2012 $ | B-52H fact sheet U.S. Air Force · figure Jun 2019 |
| Operating costs · 3 | ||
| Annual O&S / aircraft1 | $16.91M / yrConstant FY2018 $ | Weapon System Sustainment: GAO-21-101SP, FY2011–2018 operating costs GAO · figure FY2011 |
| Annual O&S / aircraft1 | $18.21M / yrConstant FY2018 $ | Weapon System Sustainment: GAO-21-101SP, FY2011–2018 operating costs GAO · figure FY2018 |
| Reimbursement / flight hourPublished billing rate for use by another DoD component. It is not the fully burdened cost of ownership. | $66,003 / hrNominal $; Other DoD Component | FY2026 aircraft hourly reimbursement rates, Other DoD Component column DoD Comptroller · figure FY2026 |
Unit costs · 1
- Published acquisition / aircraftHistorical fact-sheet figure; not a current replacement quote.B-52H fact sheet U.S. Air Force · figure Jun 2019$84MConstant FY2012 $
Operating costs · 3
- Annual O&S / aircraft1Weapon System Sustainment: GAO-21-101SP, FY2011–2018 operating costs GAO · figure FY2011$16.91M / yrConstant FY2018 $
- Annual O&S / aircraft1Weapon System Sustainment: GAO-21-101SP, FY2011–2018 operating costs GAO · figure FY2018$18.21M / yrConstant FY2018 $
- Reimbursement / flight hourPublished billing rate for use by another DoD component. It is not the fully burdened cost of ownership.FY2026 aircraft hourly reimbursement rates, Other DoD Component column DoD Comptroller · figure FY2026$66,003 / hrNominal $; Other DoD Component
1Historical average for the source study population; not a marginal mission cost.
Reading the cost figures
The fact-sheet acquisition figure uses the dollar basis shown above. GAO’s annual operating and support cost includes a broader ownership scope than the Comptroller reimbursement rate. These figures should not be combined into a single inflation-free trend.
Modernization changes the lifetime bill
GAO reports a projected $21 billion modernization portfolio. The bomber’s original purchase price excludes those later projects, and the modernization total must not be labeled entirely as research and development.
Open research: Figures retain the date and scope of the original source. A historical count, cumulative delivery or procurement plan is not today’s mission-capable inventory. A separately identified lifetime development total has not been verified. This is not a zero-cost estimate.
What the government budgets and pays for this program, from budget justification books, appropriations, acquisition reports and contract announcements. Each figure states its dollar basis. What contractors were obligated is under Contracts.