Stealth Bomber
B-52 Stratofortress
The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic strategic bomber built by Boeing that has served the US Air Force since 1955. With new engines and radar under the B-52J upgrade, it is planned to fly into the 2050s, close to 100 years after it entered service.
United States|BoeingOverview
The YB-52 first flew on 15 April 1952, and 744 aircraft were built in Seattle and Wichita until 1962. The final B-52H model, of which 102 were made, is the version still flying. Eight TF33 turbofans in four paired pods give it a top speed of about 1,047 km/h and an unrefuelled range of around 14,100 km. It can carry about 31,500 kg of weapons, from JDAM bombs and naval mines to AGM-86B nuclear cruise missiles and JASSM-ER missiles. The tail gun was removed in 1991.
About 76 B-52Hs remain in the US Air Force inventory, based mainly at Barksdale and Minot. Under the Commercial Engine Replacement Program, Rolls-Royce F130 engines will replace the TF33s, and with a new AN/APQ-188 AESA radar and cockpit displays, upgraded aircraft become the B-52J, with initial capability expected in the early 2030s. The bomber has seen combat in Vietnam, the 1991 Gulf War, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq and against ISIS, and regularly deploys on Bomber Task Force missions. It was never exported.
Key Specifications
Variants
B-52G: a late-1950s version with a shorter tail fin and integral wing fuel tanks, the most numerous model, retired in the 1990s.
B-52H: the final production model with TF33 turbofans, 102 built, and the only version still in US Air Force service.
B-52J: the designation for B-52Hs upgraded with Rolls-Royce F130 engines, an AN/APQ-188 AESA radar and new cockpit displays, expected in the early 2030s.
Operators
United StatesFrequently Asked Questions
How old is the B-52?
The B-52 first flew in April 1952 and entered service in February 1955, so the design is more than 70 years old. The last B-52H was built in 1962, and the Air Force plans to keep the fleet flying into the 2050s.
How much does a B-52 cost?
A B-52 cost about US$9 million each in the 1950s, and its replacement value is often cited at around US$84 million in 2012 dollars. The B-52J engine programme alone is worth about US$2.6 billion for 608 Rolls-Royce F130 engines plus spares.
How many B-52s are still in service?
About 76 B-52H bombers remain in the US Air Force inventory, including active, reserve and test aircraft. They are based mainly at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana and Minot AFB in North Dakota, and some were brought back from storage at Davis-Monthan.
How fast can a B-52 fly?
A B-52H has a top speed of about 1,047 km/h (650 mph) and cruises at about 844 km/h. It can fly roughly 14,100 km without refuelling and operate at altitudes of up to about 15,000 m (50,000 ft).
B-52 vs B-2: what is the difference?
The B-2 is a stealth bomber built to penetrate air defences, while the B-52 is a non-stealthy bomber that relies on long-range standoff weapons. The B-52 carries a larger payload, about 31,500 kg against roughly 18,000 kg, and there are far more of them in service.
Does any other country use the B-52?
No, only the United States has ever operated the B-52; it was never exported. It does fly regularly with allies on NATO Bomber Task Force missions, including reported flights over the Black Sea region escorted by Turkish fighters.
