The B-52B was followed by progressively improved bomber and reconnaissance variants, culminating in the B-52G and turbofan B-52H. To allow rapid delivery, production lines were set up both at its main Seattle factory and at Boeing's Wichita facility.

Apr 16, 2022 · With the legendary B-52 marking its 70th anniversary, here are all the versions of the bomber to have served the U.S. Air Force.

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered, strategic bomber operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) since 1955. The B-52A first flew in 1954, and the B model entered service in 1955. A total of 744 B-52s were built with …

Jan 26, 2024 · The different variants were developed with a variety of payloads in mind, including the B-52G, which carried the AGM-28 Hound Dog air-to-surface missile. These jets were later converted in the 1980s to carry 12 Boeing AGM-86B Air Launched Cruise Missiles.

Feb 25, 2025 · Between 1952 and 1962, Boeing built 744 B-52s in a total of eight versions, designated A through H. The B-52A was primarily a test version. It was the B-52B that entered service in the U.S. Strategic Air Command as a long-range nuclear bomber.

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Variants. The B-52 went through several design changes and variants over its 10 years of production.

The B-52H is a long-range nuclear/conventional bomber and USAF’s primary standoff cruise missile carrier. The YB-52 prototype first flew on April 15, 1952, and Strategic Air Command declared IOC with the B-52A on June 19, 1955. The H model is …

Aug 6, 2022 · B-52 Variants Despite its far-reaching history, the B-52 was actually produced in less than a dozen variants beginning with the aforementioned developmental limited production B-52A model. From the original order of 13 B-52A's, ten were later earmarked for production as B …

Jul 20, 2023 · From 1954 to 1961, the B-52 underwent eight different iterations, eventually ending with a turbofan-powered B-52h which is a variant still used today. But why seven modifications throughout seven years?

Prototype strategic heavy bomber, tandem cockpit, 8 engines, tall tail. Service test model, tandem cockpit, tail gun. YB-52, redesigned cockpit, under-wing tanks, refuelling receptacle, cross-wind u/c, engine upgrade. As B-52A, engine upgrade, increased weights. As B-52B, removable bomb-bay reconn. pod, tail cannon. Original designation was XR-16.