Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
Photo from USAF Homepage B-52H
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is perhaps the most famous and greatest bomber of all time. The BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fella) was designed in the late forties as the US's long range strategic bomber to replace the Convair B-36 Peacemaker in the nuclear deterrent role. For many years B-52s served with the US Strategic Air Command. At any time there were always SAC planes flying ready to respond should a nuclear war break out. As we all know, we never did have a nuclear war. This left the B-52's somewhat obsolete. However, some B-52s were converted to conventional bomb trucks during the Vietnam war. Each plane carried an awesome load of conventional bombs which could totally decimate troop and other concentrations. Through continuous systems upgrades ACC's 102 B-52H's remain the last B-52's in active service. B-52's can now carry an incredible array of ordnance including Harpoon anti-shipping missiles, mines, AGM-86 ALCM's, and of course bombs. Throughout its long and decorated career the BUFFs have claimed numerous firsts including first plane to drop a hydrogen bomb, and first jet to fly around the world non-stop. Over the years there have been numerous plans to replace the Stratofortresses, first in the sixties with the cancelled B-70, in the seventies with the B-1A, and finally in the eighties they were replaced and supplemented by B-1Bs. B-52's now participate Global Power exercises in which the planes fly from the continental United States to say Saudi Arabia or Thailand, bomb a training target, and return to their bases (all made possible through aerial refueling). Stratofortresses dropped 40% of all weapons dropped by coalition aircraft in desert storm. In September, 1996 when the Iraqis were acting up B-52s carrying ALCMs combined with naval vessels firing Tomahawk missiles attacked targets, the B-52s flew in from the closest base, Guam. If the B-52 isn't already the most famous bomber of all time it soon will be. Stratofortresses are predicted to be serving America well into the 21st century. It is estimated by engineers that the B-52s' lifespan will pass the year 2045, an incredible near 100 year service life.
Specifications
(Data for B-52H)
Origin: Boeing Aircraft Company
Type: Long Range Heavy Bomber
Crew: Pilot, Commander, Radar Navigator, Navigator, and EWO (Electronic Warfare Officer)
Powerplant: Eight Pratt & Whitney TF33-3 turbofans each delivering 7 720 kg (17 000 lbs) of thrust
Dimensions
Span: 56.39 m (185')
Length: 49.99 m (164')
Height: 12.4 m (40' 8")
Max Weight (war limit): 256 738 kg (566 000 lbs)
Performance
Maximum Speed: 1 046 kph (650 mph)
Low Level Penetration Speed: 575 kph (357 mph)
Climb Rate:
Service Ceiling: 14 000 m (46 000 feet)
Max Range: 14 080 km (8 800 miles)
Armament
One M61A1 with 1200 rounds & 31 500 kg (70 000 lbs) of ordnance like bombs (JDAM, etc.), mines, and missiles (AGM-86 ALCM, AGM-142 Popeye Have Nap, AGM-84 Harpoon)
First Flight: YB-52 April 15, 1952
User(s): USA
Production: B-52A 3, B-52B 50, B-52C 70, B-52D 170, B-52E 100, B-52F 89, B-52G 193, B-52H 102
Unit Cost: 30 million $US
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