The B-52 completed 60 years of continuous service with its original operator in 2015. Superior performance at high subsonic speeds and relatively low operating costs have kept them in service despite the advent of later, more advanced strategic bombers, including the Mach 2+ Convair B-58 Hustler, the canceled Mach 3 North American XB-70 Valkyrie, the variable-geometry Rockwell B-1 Lancer, and the stealth Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit. The bombers flew under the Strategic Air Command (SAC) until it was disestablished in 1992 and its aircraft absorbed into the Air Combat Command (ACC) in 2010, all B-52 Stratofortresses were transferred from the ACC to the new Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). There are 72 aircraft in inventory as of 2022 58 operated by active forces ( 2nd Bomb Wing and 5th Bomb Wing), 18 by reserve forces ( 307th Bomb Wing), and about 12 in long-term storage at the Davis-Monthan AFB Boneyard.
The B-52 has been in service with the USAF since 1955. 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/ Fella). A veteran of several wars, the B-52 has dropped only conventional munitions in combat. Built to carry nuclear weapons for Cold War–era deterrence missions, the B-52 Stratofortress replaced the Convair B-36 Peacemaker. The B-52 took its maiden flight in April 1952. īeginning with the successful contract bid in June 1946, the B-52 design evolved from a straight wing aircraft powered by six turboprop engines to the final prototype YB-52 with eight turbojet engines and swept wings.
The bomber can carry up to 70,000 pounds (32,000 kg) of weapons, and has a typical combat range of around 8,800 miles (14,200 km) without aerial refueling. It has been operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) since the 1950s. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, which has continued to provide support and upgrades. The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is an American long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber.
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