 |
 |
 |
 |
B-52 Stratofortress
The B-52 Stratofortress is an 8-engine, intercontinental,
heavy bomber. The first Stratofortress was built in 1955,
and the first B-52H model in 1961. The B-52G and H models
were both used in Desert Storm in "carpet bombing" roles
to destroy Iraqi front line tanks and vehicles. The B-52H
can carry up to 20 ALCM (Air Launched Cruise Missiles),
and was used during Allied Force in Yugoslavia as a cruise
missile launch platform. The Stratofortress can travel up
to 8,800 miles without refuleing and can carry both nuclear
and conventional bombs and cruise missiles. The B-52 is
expected to serve in the Air Force until around 2045.
General Characteristics
Primary Function: Heavy bomber
Contractor: Boeing Military Airplane Co.
Power plant: Eight Pratt & Whitney engines TF33-P-3/103 turbofan
Thrust: Each engine up to 17,000 pounds
Length: 159 feet, 4 inches (48.5 meters)
Height: 40 feet, 8 inches (12.4 meters)
Wingspan: 185 feet (56.4 meters)
Speed: 650 miles per hour (Mach 0.86)
Ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,151.5 meters)
Weight: Approximately 185,000 pounds empty (83,250 kilograms)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 488,000 pounds (219,600 kilograms)
Range: Unrefueled 8,800 miles (7,652 nautical miles)
Armament: Approximately 70,000 pounds (31,500 kilograms) mixed ordnance -- bombs, mines and missiles. (Modified to carry air-launched cruise missiles, Harpoon anti-ship and Have Nap missiles.)
Crew: Five (aircraft commander, pilot, radar navigator, navigator and electronic warfare officer)
Accommodations: Six ejection seats
Unit Cost: $74 million
Date Deployed: February 1955
Inventory: Active force, 85; ANG, 0; Reserve, 9
|
|
|
|