Are there any clues as to what the 2018 bomber for the airforce will be like?

Question

I heard that they already decided that it was going to be manned and it was not going to be supersonic. I have a feeling that northrop gruman is going to be the one that gets the contract, and it will be similar to the B-2. I wonder what lockheed martins and boeings desighn proposal is.

Answer 1

i dunt no!

Answer 2

Yes.  

Clue #1: It will drop bombs

Clue #2: It will be operated by the USAF

Clue #3: It will come out in 2018

Answer 3

Capt. Aviophage is right on the glidepath.  The history of the B-52 is nothing less than stunning.  The last airframe of the current iteration of BUFF's (Big Ugly Fat F***ers), the H model, rolled off the line at Wichita in <gasp!> 1962.  According to the USAF's Fact Sheet on their official website, they're planning to maintain them in the inventory into the 2040's.  

As it stands now, its entirely possible that a current crew member could be the grandchild of one of the first crew on the very same aircraft.  Now, if that didn't boggle your mind, imagine that very same aircraft locked into a bomb run with a logbook going back more than 80 years!  Can Boeing build 'em or what?!

Answer 4

Most likely it will be more recycled B-52s.  We could do worse.