A Complete History Of The B-52 Bomber In The US Air Force

A Complete History Of The B-52 Bomber In The US Air Force

• The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is the backbone of the US Air Force’s long-range intercontinental strategic bombing force.
• The aircraft has an impressive payload and combat range, making it a dynamic and enduring asset.
• Despite its age, the Air Force plans to keep the B-52 in service for another twenty years or more with upgrades and a re-engine program.

The backbone of the United States Air Force’s long-range intercontinental strategic bombing force is undoubtedly the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress. In service since 1955, the eight-engine heavy bomber has flown actively throughout the Cold War and multiple Middle Eastern conflicts and remains in the skies today.

With an impressive maximum payload of up to 70,000 pounds of weapons, the aircraft has a typical combat range of nearly 9,000 miles and can be supported by air-to-air refueling. The B-52 is, unsurprisingly, one of the most dynamic and redundant aircraft to ever roll off of Boeing’s assembly lines and will likely remain in service far beyond the short-term future.

With over 70 years of active-duty operations, the heavy bomber has had quite a fascinating operational history. In this article, we will take a deeper look at the development, military operations, and long-term future of the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress.

Development

According to Robert Jackson’s 2006 Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft, the Air Force was in need of a new heavy jet bomber to replace the Convair B-36 Peacemaker by the mid-1940s. Eventually, the organization ordered two prototypes in 1040, and the YB-52 would first take to the skies in 1952.

The aircraft was both strong and versatile and was powered by eight massive Pratt & Whitney J57-P-3 turbojet engines. Eventually, fifty jets were produced for the Strategic Air Command, with many subsequent variants later delivered, bringing the total number of aircraft built up to 744, according to documents from the Department of Defense.

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How Many B-52 Bombers Are In The USAF Today?

After fitting its Boeing B-52s with new Rolls-Royce engines, the USAF expects the plane to remain in service until 2050.

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. The last version to be produced, the B-52H, was originally designed to carry Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles but was later retrofitted with air-to-surface missiles.

Operational history

For the vast majority of its service lifespan, the B-52 has operated as a long-range strategic nuclear bomber. Alongside the Rockwell B-1 Lancer and the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, it remains a critical element of the Air Force’s nuclear deterrent force today.

However, there have been some moments in which the B-52 took to the skies for conventional bombing operations. The aircraft first saw action during the Vietnam War, when the aircraft gained a reputation for reliability and for performing high-altitude precision bombing raids, according to R.G. Grant’s 2002 Complete History of Flight. The aircraft would also see combat operations during the Gulf War of 1991, and would also fly over Yugoslavia in support of NATO operations in the Balkans.

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The future

While many have called for the B-52’s retirement, the US Air Force has still maintained its intention to keep the jets in service and has repeatedly sung its praises. Manufacturer Boeing has been quick to offer new upgrades to the airframe, as Simple Flying reported in November.

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How Much Longer Will The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Remain Active?

The strategic bomber has been active for several decades; will it live on?

Despite its outdated airframe, the Air Force has planned an $11 billion re-engine program that is already underway. Officials at the Pentagon have also indicated their expectation that the bomber could remain active for another twenty years or possibly even more.