New START and the Bomber Force

摘要

If the Senate ratifies the New START arms control agreement with Russia—far from a sure thing at press time—Air Force Global Strike Command will likely reduce the number of nuclear-capable B-52s from 94 to 60. This is a big change, but not as dramatic as it first sounds. Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz, AFGSC commander, and other Global Strike officials say the command is comfortable with the possible change and is prepared to carry it out. Much as the 6-1B was denuclearized in the 1990s, a segment of the B-52 fleet could be modified to perform conventional missions only. The affected aircraft would not be retired or destroyed, as was required under some previous arms control agreements.