The first Boeing B-52H Stratofort re ss (60-0028) to receive a low rate initial production upgraded system of displays, servers and communications uplinks installed as part of the Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT) programme was delivered back to Barksdale AFB. Louisiana on April 21. A ceremony was held at the base four days later to introduce the new system to the fleet. The modifications were carried out over ten months at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, Tinker AFB. Oklahoma. Enhanced capabilities enabled by the upgrade include beyond line of sight digital data link connectivity, allowing for retargeting in flight. All operational B-52Hs will be upgraded with CONECT by 2020 at a rate of about ten per year. Meanwhile, under the terms of the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) signed between Russia and the United States in 2010, 30 B-52Hs will permanently lose their capability to carry and employ nuclear weapons by 2018 (two more than originally reported in US Strategic Bomber Upgrades, November 2012, pl2). It will leave the US Air Force's deployed nuclear-capable bomber fleet at 41 B-52Hs and 19 Northrop B-2A Spirits. In addition, six non-deployed nuclear-capable aircraft will be retained, including three test aircraft, with the others unable to fire live weapons because, for example, they are in maintenance.
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