On May 22, 2009 Boeing announced the successful first flight of a B-52 Stratofortress upgraded with Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT), a modification that equips the legendary B-52 with 21st-century situational awareness and mission flexibility. In this photo, the B-52H takes off from Boeing's facility in Wichita, Kansas on May 21. The CONECT 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. All 76 aircraft in the fleet will receive the CONECT modification.