Data Sheet - B-52 Strategic Nuclear Strike Bomber - USAF
The B-52 Stratofortress is a strategic nuclear strike bomber that served as the backbone and unofficial symbol of Strategic Air Command (SAC) from 1955-1992. The B-52 is capable of delivering 35 tons of ordinance - either nuclear or conventional - on a target. With air refueling, a B-52 can hit any spot on earth. B-52 strategic nuclear strike bombers served as a credible and feared deterrent while a major component of the United States nuclear TRIAD under SAC's control. A total of 639 B-52s (models B thru H) were assigned to SAC through December 1962 and by December 1964, SAC had a total 626 B-52 strategic nuclear strike bombers assigned to its 38 bomb wings. In 1990, SAC had reduced its Bomb Wings to 18, 12 of which were operating B-52s.
In a conventional conflict, the B-52 can perform air interdiction, offensive counter-air and maritime operations. During Desert Storm, B-52s delivered 40 percent of all the weapons dropped by coalition forces. It is highly effective when used for ocean surveillance, and can assist the U.S. Navy in anti-ship and mine-laying operations. Two B-52s, in two hours, can monitor 140,000 square miles (364,000 square kilometers) of ocean surface.
All B-52s are equipped with an electro-optical viewing system that uses platinum silicide forward-looking infrared and high resolution low-light-level television sensors to augment the targeting, battle assessment, flight safety and terrain-avoidance system, thus further improving its combat ability and low-level flight capability.
Pilots wear night vision goggles (NVGs) to enhance their night visual, low-level terrain-following operations. Night vision goggles provide greater safety during night operations by increasing the pilot's ability to visually clear terrain and avoid enemy radar.
Starting in 1989, an on-going modification incorporates the global positioning system, heavy stores adaptor beams for carrying 2,000 pound munitions and additional smart weapons capability. All aircraft are being modified to carry the AGM-142 Raptor missile and AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile.
The use of aerial refueling gives the B-52 a range limited only by crew endurance. It has an unrefueled combat range in excess of 8,800 miles (14,080 kilometers).
The aircraft's flexibility was evident during the Vietnam War and, again, in Operation Desert Storm. B-52s struck wide-area troop concentrations, fixed installations and bunkers, and decimated the morale of Iraq's Republican Guard. The Gulf War involved the longest strike mission in the history of aerial warfare when B-52s of the 2nd Bombardment Wing took off from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, launched conventional air launched cruise missiles and returned to Barksdale -- a 35-hour, non-stop combat mission.
For more than 50 years B-52 Stratofortresses have been the primary manned strategic bomber force for the United States. The B-52 is capable of dropping or launching a significant array of weapons in the U.S. inventory. This includes gravity bombs, cluster bombs and precision guided missiles. Updated with modern technology, the B-52 will continue into the 21st century as an important element of our nation's defenses. Current engineering analysis show the B-52's life span to extend beyond the year 2045.
The B-52A first flew on 5 August 1954, and the B model entered service 29 June 1955 with SAC's 93rd Bombardment Wing at Castle Air Force Base, California. A total of 744 B-52s were built with the last, a B-52H, delivered to SAC's 5th Bombardment Wing at Minot Air Force Base, Montana on 26 October 1962. (Only the H model is still in the Air Force inventory.)
The first of 102 B-52H's was delivered to Strategic Air Command's 379th Bombardment Wing, Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, on 9 May 1961. The B-52H can carry up to 20 nuclear armed air launched cruise missiles (ALCM). In addition, it can carry the conventional cruise missile which was launched from B-52G models during Desert Storm.
The B-52's electronic countermeasures suite is capable of protecting itself against a full range of air defense threat systems by using a combination of electronic detection, jamming and infrared countermeasures. The B-52 can also detect and counter missiles engaging the aircraft from the rear. These systems are undergoing continuous improvement in order to enable them to continue to counter emerging threat systems.
Primary Function: Heavy bomber
Contractor: Boeing Military Airplane Co.
Power Plant: Eight Pratt & Whitney engines TF33-P-3/103 turbofan
Thrust: Each engine up to 17,000 pounds
Length: 159 feet, 4 inches (48.5 meters)
Height: 40 feet, 8 inches (12.4 meters)
Wingspan: 185 feet (56.4 meters)
Speed: 650 miles per hour (Mach 0.86)
Ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,151.5 meters)
Weight: Approximately 185,000 pounds empty (83,250 kilograms)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 488,000 pounds (219,600 kilograms)
Range: Unrefueled 10,000 miles (18,520 kilometers)
Armament: One 20mm tail-mounted Gatling cannon
Payload: Approximately 70,000 pounds (31,500 kilograms) mixed ordinance -- bombs, mines and missiles, both nuclear and conventional. (Modified to carry air-launched cruise missiles, Harpoon anti-ship and Have Nap missiles.)
Crew: Five (aircraft commander, pilot, radar navigator, navigator and electronic warfare officer)
Accommodations: Six ejection seats
Unit Cost: $30 million
Date Deployed: 9 May 1961
Inventory: Active force, 85; ANG, 0; Reserve, 9 (current as of April 1996)
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