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At the AMARG boneyard (Tucson desert, Arizona), there are tons of aircraft, but a limited number of models are dismantled according a special way: wings or tail or both separated from the fuselage:

AMARG boneyard, START dismantled aircraft
Image from Google Maps

AMARG boneyard, START dismantled aircraft
Source, reframed

I doubt all tails will suddenly be used as spare parts...

What are those military aircraft? why are they systematically dismantled this way?

(Not sure the question is on topic.)

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Some B-52s and other aircraft were put out of commission as part of the START treaties. They were dismantled in such a way that the Russians could verify this with satellite reconnaissance, just as in the photo above.

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  • $\begingroup$ So apparently the B-52s were sold for scrap, but for some reason are still at AMARG after the 3-month period of satellite observation. Does that means that other aircraft are not in the scope of the START treaties? $\endgroup$
    – mins
    Jun 26, 2016 at 21:59
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    $\begingroup$ @mins I've no idea. The Google image could be old - perhaps more recent imagery has been classified? The B52s were classed as "nuclear delivery systems" if the tail was still on - even though they were in the boneyard. Whether they are still there or not, who knows? $\endgroup$
    – Simon
    Jun 27, 2016 at 12:09
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Article linked in the source below mentions the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, as Simon said.

enter image description here

The 39th and final B-52G Stratofortress, tail number 58-0224, accountable under the New START Treaty (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) with Russia, sits among the planes.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

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    $\begingroup$ Thank you ymb1. This is a great link, very interesting. Btw, the photos turn abstract figures into concrete things. How much money is ending in this graveyard... $\endgroup$
    – mins
    Jun 26, 2016 at 22:02
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    $\begingroup$ @mins - snarky comment warning....."enough to make sure WW3 never happened!" I used to live there, it was fun to watch when they shredded one of them into ribbons. $\endgroup$
    – PhasedOut
    Mar 17, 2017 at 19:26

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