In a clear sign of ageing, a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber aircraft lost one of its engine during a flight from M...
In a clear sign of ageing, a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber aircraft lost one of its engine during a flight from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, on Wednesday,
The engine fell from the aircraft while its was flying a training mission northeast of the Minot AFB.
The unarmed bomber landed back safely with its five crew members without any further incidents.
Pentagon officials said the Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3 turbofan engine fell in to wildlife refuge and recovery efforts are undergoing.
The B-52H is powered by eight TF33 engines, paired in pods and suspended by four pylons beneath and forward of the wings' leading edge.
The incident is clear sign of ageing on the USAF's subsonic strategic bomber fleet which have an average age of 55 years.USAF currently operates 76 B-52s which entered service from 1961 to 1962.
The Boeing manufactured bomber first flew in 1952 and is expected to fly until 2040, when it will be replaced the by the new Northrop Grumman B-21 stealth bomber.
Pratt & Whitney is offering an engine upgrade to improve efficiency of the fuel guzzling TF33 engines, to keep the B-52H flying until 2040. The TF33 was the first turbofan design of the company, designed in the late 1950s.
