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. It has been operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) since the 1950s, and by NASA for nearly 50 years.

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 …

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.

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 · Boeing B-52D Stratofortress three-view illustration with dimensions. (U.S. Air Force) The Boeing B-52D Stratofortress differed from earlier production models primarily in that it did not have the capability of carrying a reconnaissance capsule in its bomb bay. It is an a long-range high-subsonic heavy bomber powered by eight turbojet engines.

Boeing B-52D One of the “Big Belly” B-52Ds releasing its 60,000-pound bomb load of bombs on enemy targets in Vietnam. It could carry up to 84 500-pound bombs or 42 750-pound bombs internally and 24 750-pound bombs externally on racks under the wings.

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.

B-52D “Lone Star Lady” Pima Air & Space Museum Creating unlimited horizons in aerospace education through the preservation and presentation of the history of flight.

Oct 6, 2012 · Remaining in operation longer than any bomber in U.S. military history, the B-52 was the Strategic Air Command's principal long-range heavy bomber from the time it became operational in 1955. Affectionately known as the BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fellow), it …

Built to carry nuclear weapons forCold War–era deterrence missions, the B-52 Stratofortress replaced the ConvairB-36 Peacemaker.