Boeing’s B-52 Stratofortress upgraded with Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT) made its first flight, flying for 3 1/2 hours on May 21 from Boeing’s facility in Wichita, Kan. The modification equips the aircraft with new situational awareness and mission flexibility, Boeing said. The modification installs a digital communications infrastructure in the B-52 that allows the aircraft to communicate with the Air Force’s digital communications network and tie in with Air Force command and control centers, ground forces and other platforms. This first aircraft will leave Wichita in June to go into flight test at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. All 76 aircraft in the fleet will receive the CONECT modification after the flight test program is complete.