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.

After it became operational in 1955, the B-52 remained the main long-range heavy bomber of the US Air Force during the Cold War, and it continues to be an important part of the USAF bomber force today. Nearly 750 were built before production …

Since it became operational in 1955, the B-52 has been the main long-range heavy bomber of the Strategic Air Command. It first flew on 15 April 1952. Nearly 750 B-52s were built when production ended in October 1963, 170 of which were D models.

Dec 18, 2024 · 22 November 1972: The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers began combat operations in the Vietnam War with ARC LIGHT strikes against enemy troop concentrations and supply lines in June 1965. The B-52s flew so high and fast that they could neither be seen nor heard on the ground.

Nov 11, 2016 · The B-52 is the only weapon in history to be in constant military use for 50 years. The Air Force plans to keep the B-52 in the Strategic Air Command’s inventory until at least 2040 and maybe even longer.

The B-52D played a major role in the airwar over Vietnam. Flying bombing missions in support of our ground forces, the B-52s flew from bases in Guam and Thailand. They bombed the enemy's major industrial and transportation centers in support of American ground forces.

Designed in the early years of the Cold War, the massive eight-engine Boeing B-52 Stratofortress with its crew of six was intended as a high-altitude, intercontinental, strategic bomber capable of launching devastating nuclear attacks against targets deep inside the Soviet Union.

The first of the eight major production variants of the B-52 were built in 1954, with production continuing through 1963. The fourth model of the B-52 built, the B-52D was the second most produced version of the Stratofortress. Delivery of the “D” models began in 1956 with a …

The B-52 was intended as a high-altitude, intercontinental, strategic bomber capable of nuclear attacks against targets deep inside the Soviet Union, during the early years of the Cold War.

B-52 D. In contrast to the B-52C, easily convertible to the reconnaissance configuration, the B-52D was equipped exclusively for long-range bombing operations.