A B-52H from Barksdale AFB flying over the desert.
Contents
Stats[]
| Category. | Statistic. |
|---|---|
| First flight on. | 15 April, 1952. |
| Retired on. | No. |
| Major contractor(s) . | Boeing. |
| Dose it use nukes or cruse missiles. | Yes, both. Nukes of various types and yield, including the nuclear type of cruse missile. Non-nuclear cruise missiles also used. |
| Fight ceiling . | 50,000 ft (15,000 m). |
| Top speed. | 560 kn (650 mph, 1,047 km/h). |
| VTOL. | No. |
| Range. | Ferry range: 10,145 mi (8,764 nmi, 16,232 km). |
| Crew. | 5. |
| Nationality(s). | American. |
| Class. | Subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. |
| Rate of climb. | 6,270 ft/min (31.85 m/s). |
| Ground attack weapons. | Bombs, mines, missiles, the MK 39 nuclear bomb and cruse missiles. Some also carry technical and scientific instruments for NASA. |
| Links. | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_B-52_Stratofortress and http://fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/bomber/b-52.htm. |
Names[]
The B-52's official name Stratofortress is rarely used; informally, the aircraft has become commonly referred to as the BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fucker).
50 years?[]
It was reckoned that the air-frames had about another 50 year's life in them according to a 2009 and 2012 documentary. 1952-2062 = a 110 year life span for the oldest, with avionics and weapons upgrades!
Accidents[]
1966 Palomares B-52 crash[]
The 1966 Palomares B-52 crash was a Cold War era B-52 Stratofortress bomber and Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker mid air collision that destroyed both aircraft and almost caused a nuclear accident.
Others[]
- 1961 Goldsboro B-52 crash
- 1961 Yuba City B-52 crash
- 1964 Savage Mountain B-52 crash
- 1966 Palomares B-52 crash
- 1968 Thule Air Base B-52 crash
Also see[]
Documentary of the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Bomber
Documentary of the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Bomber.
