The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is an American long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, which has continued to provide support and upgrades.

On January 7, 1971, a Boeing B-52C Stratofortress (serial 54-2666) of Strategic Air Command crashed into northern Lake Michigan at the mouth of Little Traverse Bay near Charlevoix, Michigan, while on a low-level training flight.

The Boeing B-52 primarily provides the United States with immediate nuclear and conventional global strike capability. The B-52 is the most combat capable bomber in the U.S. inventory.

Mar 27, 2025 · Summary and Key Points: The iconic B-52 bomber could serve close to 100 years thanks to a secret weapon: extensive upgrades like new engines and advanced modernization efforts.

Mar 16, 2025 · Lasers, hypersonics, drone attacks, massive ordnance carriage, and long-range, nuclear-capable cruise missiles are just a few of the emerging elements woven into a new generation B-52 bomber, a modern variant of the classic, Vietnam-era weapon now surging beyond 50 years of continued service.

Jan 23, 2015 · For its latest upgrade, Boeing has installed a new weapons bay launcher that will allow the venerable bomber to carry smart weapons inside and reduce fuel consumption.

Weapons bay: The B-52 is equipped with an internal weapons bay, located in the center of the aircraft. This bay can carry a variety of conventional and nuclear weapons. The B-52 diagram serves as a visual representation of the key components of this iconic aircraft.

Jun 21, 2016 · Ever since its inception during WWII, it has been one of the best at what it does: carrying tons—literal tons—of weaponry. With a max load-out of 70,000 pounds or 35 tons, it can hoist...

Jan 15, 2015 · The upgrade modifies the internal weapons bay of the B-52H by integrating a CRL that has the capability of carrying Military Standard 1760 “smart weapons.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Bobbi Zapka)

Jan 19, 2016 · The Air Force and Boeing have upgraded the bomb bay launchers in six B-52 bombers, allowing the aircraft to carry smart bombs in the weapons bay for the first time. The upgrade is needed as the B-52s eventually transition from the Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missiles to the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range, said Col ...