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.

Apr 12, 2022 · The XB-52 followed the prototype into the air on Oct. 2, 1952. The first flight of the YB-52 lasted two hours and was powered by prototype YJ57-P-3 engines. Despite the difference in designations, the XB-52 and the YB-52 were essentially identical.

2 October 1952: The Boeing XB-52 Stratofortress prototype, 49-230, made its first flight at Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington, with test pilot Alvin M. “Tex” Johnston in command. Lieutenant Colonel Guy M. Townsend, U.S. Air Force, acted as co-pilot.

Apr 15, 2024 · The Boeing XB-52 and YB-52 were prototypes for a very long range strategic bomber. Both were built with a tandem cockpit for the pilot and co-pilot, similar to the earlier B-47 Stratojet.

Oct 2, 2024 · The XB-52 was powered by eight Pratt & Whitney YJ57-P-3 turbojet engines, with a normal power rating of 8,700 pounds static thrust at Sea Level (38.700 kilonewtons).

Feb 21, 2020 · The prototype XB-52 was made available and the aircraft made a series of flights in this configuration between November 1957 and August 1958, logging over 140 flight hours. Despite the final report stating a ‘substantial performance improvement’, the configuration was not adopted for the fleet.

Jan 4, 2024 · The YB-52 was donated to the US Air Force Museum on Jan. 27, 1958, having flown for 783 hours. It was on display for a time but due to a ‘beautification’ scheme orchestrated by First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, both the XB-52 and YB-52 were scrapped sometime in …

One variant of the aircraft, the NB-52B or Balls Eight, car-ried the winged and manned, air- launched X-15 supersonic aircraft for its 199 flights from 1960 to 1968.

Apr 12, 2012 · Read up on the history of the B-52's development. It took nearly ten years of fits, starts and redesigns to get the revolutionary and long-lasting jet bomber into service.

The XB-52 was a big, boxy machine with a high-mounted wing swept back 35 degrees and a conventional tail arrangement. It was powered by eight P&W YJ57-3 engines providing 38.7 kN (3,950 kgp / 8,700 lbf) thrust each.