Jet Planes, Pictures And Info About The B52 Stratofortress

B52 Stratofortress heavy bomber

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B52 Stratofortress veteran aircraft still in service after 40 years

	B52 Stratofortress, Boeing's veteran heavy bomber is still one of America's most effective combat aircraft, 40 years or so after the first examples were delivered to the then Strategic Air Command (SAC). A massive plane with a wingspan of 185 ft, length of over 159 ft and weighing nearly 220 metric tons at full load, yet still capable of barrelling along at 650 mph with it's eight P&W TF33-P-3/103 turbofans mounted in groups of two, and able to fly up to 50,000 ft altitude. Range is equally massive at 8,800 miles without being refueled.
The Stratofortress has seen a lot of action in it's 40 or so years of service. Carpet bombing missions in Vietnem where they dropped a staggering amount of munitions. The first Gulf war saw them used heavily pummeling the Iraqi ground forces. They have also more recently been flying missions against the Taliban in Afganistan and once again in Iraq during the second Gulf war operating out of British airbases amongst others. The aircraft can carry 70,000 lb of weapons both internal and external. Munitions used include conventional free fall ordance and cruise missiles. B52 bombers also have a nuclear capability made famous in the 1960s film Dr Strangelove.
	Current USAF inventory of B52 Stratofortress bombers are the latter B52H variant and these have undergone extensive modifications of systems since they were built. The plane is expected to remain in service for some time, even with the likes of modern B1b Lancers and B2 Spirits now operational. Unlike it's ancestors the B29 Superfortess and B17 Flying Fortress the five man crew of a B52 enjoy ejector seats just like fighter jocks. A truly classic aircraft which harks back to a bygone era and can still 'cut the mustard'.

Boeing B52 Stratofortress
Engine	8x P&W TF33-P-3/103 turbofans 17,000 lbs thrust each engine	Top Speed	650 MPH
Weight	488,000 lb	Wingspan	185ft
Length	159ft 4"	Weapons	70,000 lb of free-fall ordance, cruise missiles, mines. Conventional warheads and nuclear.
Country	USA	Crew	five

Aircraft pictures courtesy USAF unless stated otherwise.

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