(Translated by https://www.hiragana.jp/)
B-52
B-52 in flight in a clear blue sky

B-52

Serving the U.S. for Decades to Come

The Boeing B-52 primarily provides the United States with immediate nuclear and conventional global strike capability. The B-52 is the most combat capable bomber in the U.S. inventory. Due to its high mission-capable rate, large payload, long range, persistence and ability to employ both nuclear and conventional precision standoff weapons, the B-52 continues to be a critical contributor to the U.S. National Security Strategy.</p>\r\n"}}" id="text-706bbc567c" class="cmp-text">

The Boeing B-52 primarily provides the United States with immediate nuclear and conventional global strike capability. The B-52 is the most combat capable bomber in the U.S. inventory. Due to its high mission-capable rate, large payload, long range, persistence and ability to employ both nuclear and conventional precision standoff weapons, the B-52 continues to be a critical contributor to the U.S. National Security Strategy.

Videos

    B-52 Milestones

    \r\n<tbody><tr><td><strong>Jan 13 2016</strong></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2016-01-13-Boeing-Delivers-Six-Enhanced-B-52-Bomber-Weapons-Bay-Launchers\" target=\"_blank\">Boeing Delivers Six Enhanced B-52 Bomber Weapons Bay Launchers</a></td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Oct 02 2015</strong></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2015-10-02-Boeing-B-52-Bomber-Flies-into-the-Future-with-Digital-Upgrades\" target=\"_blank\">Boeing B-52 Bomber Flies into the Future with Digital Upgrades</a></td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Feb 04 2015</strong></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2015-02-04-Boeing-Receives-Contract-to-Modernize-B-52-with-Digital-Communications\" target=\"_blank\">Boeing Receives Contract to Modernize B-52 with Digital Communications</a></td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Jan 21 2015</strong></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://boeing.mediaroom.com/01-21-15-Boeing-Modernizes-B-52-Bomber-Weapons-Bay-Launcher\" target=\"_blank\">Boeing Modernizes B-52 Bomber Weapons Bay Launcher</a></td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>May 19 2014</strong></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://boeing.mediaroom.com/1st-B-52-Upgraded-with-Innovative-Boeing-CONECT-System\" target=\"_blank\">1st B-52 Upgraded with Innovative Boeing CONECT System </a></td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Nov 06 2013</strong></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://boeing.mediaroom.com/New-Boeing-B-52-Upgrade-to-Increase-Smart-Weapons-Capacity-by-Half\" target=\"_blank\">New Boeing B-52 Upgrade to Increase Smart Weapons Capacity by Half</a></td>\r\n</tr></tbody></table>\r\n"}}" id="text-edafc2b603" class="cmp-text">
    Jan 13 2016 Boeing Delivers Six Enhanced B-52 Bomber Weapons Bay Launchers
    Oct 02 2015 Boeing B-52 Bomber Flies into the Future with Digital Upgrades
    Feb 04 2015 Boeing Receives Contract to Modernize B-52 with Digital Communications
    Jan 21 2015 Boeing Modernizes B-52 Bomber Weapons Bay Launcher
    May 19 2014 1st B-52 Upgraded with Innovative Boeing CONECT System
    Nov 06 2013 New Boeing B-52 Upgrade to Increase Smart Weapons Capacity by Half
    <a href=\"https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?_gl=1*1auyjq2*_ga*NTk1NTE0ODYzLjE2OTc2NTk2NDA.*_ga_3N2PEGZ4HD*MTY5ODI3MzEwMS4zNC4xLjE2OTgyNzQ1NjIuMC4wLjA.\" target=\"_blank\">View all News Releases</a></p>\r\n"}}" id="text-0bb9c815c9" class="cmp-text">

    View all News Releases

    B-52 Technical Specifications

    \r\n<tbody><tr><td><strong>Primary Function</strong></td>\r\n<td>Heavy bomber</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Power plant</strong></td>\r\n<td>8 Pratt &amp; Whitney engines TF33-P-3/103 turbofan</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Thrust</strong></td>\r\n<td>Each engine up to 17,000 lbs</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Wingspan</strong></td>\r\n<td>185 ft (56.4 m)</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Length</strong></td>\r\n<td>159 ft, 4 in (48.5 m)</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Height</strong></td>\r\n<td>40 ft, 8 in (12.4 m)</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Weight</strong></td>\r\n<td>Approximately 185,000 lbs (83,250 kg)</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Max Takeoff Weight</strong></td>\r\n<td>488,000 lbs (219,600 kg)</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Fuel Capacity</strong></td>\r\n<td>312,197 lbs</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Payload</strong></td>\r\n<td>70,000 lbs (31,500 kg)</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Speed</strong></td>\r\n<td>650 mph (Mach 0.86)</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Range</strong></td>\r\n<td>8,800 mi (7,652 nautical miles)</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Ceiling</strong></td>\r\n<td>50,000 ft (15,150 m)</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Crew</strong></td>\r\n<td>5 (aircraft commander, pilot, radar navigator, navigator and electronic warfare officer</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Initial operating capability</strong></td>\r\n<td>May 1961 (Current ‘H’ Model)</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><strong>Armament</strong></td>\r\n<td>Approximately 70,000 lbs (31,500 kg) mixed ordnance -- bombs, smart weapons, mines and missiles. Modified to carry air-launched cruise missiles and Miniature Air Launched Decoy.</td>\r\n</tr></tbody></table>\r\n"}}" id="text-7de1abd2ad" class="cmp-text">
    Primary Function Heavy bomber
    Power plant 8 Pratt & Whitney engines TF33-P-3/103 turbofan
    Thrust Each engine up to 17,000 lbs
    Wingspan 185 ft (56.4 m)
    Length 159 ft, 4 in (48.5 m)
    Height 40 ft, 8 in (12.4 m)
    Weight Approximately 185,000 lbs (83,250 kg)
    Max Takeoff Weight 488,000 lbs (219,600 kg)
    Fuel Capacity 312,197 lbs
    Payload 70,000 lbs (31,500 kg)
    Speed 650 mph (Mach 0.86)
    Range 8,800 mi (7,652 nautical miles)
    Ceiling 50,000 ft (15,150 m)
    Crew 5 (aircraft commander, pilot, radar navigator, navigator and electronic warfare officer
    Initial operating capability May 1961 (Current ‘H’ Model)
    Armament Approximately 70,000 lbs (31,500 kg) mixed ordnance -- bombs, smart weapons, mines and missiles. Modified to carry air-launched cruise missiles and Miniature Air Launched Decoy.

    B-52 Gallery

    B-52 Customer

    Originally designed as an intercontinental, high-altitude nuclear bomber, the B-52’s operational capabilities have advanced over the years to meet changing national defense needs. Boeing built 744 B-52s and delivered the last, a B-52H, in October 1962. Only the H model is still in the Air Force inventory; it is assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command.</p>\r\n"}}" id="text-4280a2b65e" class="cmp-text">

    Originally designed as an intercontinental, high-altitude nuclear bomber, the B-52’s operational capabilities have advanced over the years to meet changing national defense needs. Boeing built 744 B-52s and delivered the last, a B-52H, in October 1962. Only the H model is still in the Air Force inventory; it is assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command.

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    B-52 Quick Facts

    \r\n<li>The B-52’s 185-foot wingspan is too wide to take off or land in a crossing using traditional flying techniques.</li>\r\n<li>Boeing engineers designed special landing gear that could align with the runway allowing special takeoffs and landings.</li>\r\n<li>The original design of the B-52 placed a gunner in the tail of the aircraft. Later designs moved the gunner forward with the rest of the crew.</li>\r\n<li>After the Gulf War in the early 1990s, the gunner position and defensive machine guns were eliminated.</li>\r\n<li>U.S. Air Force engineering studies suggest that the lifespan of the B-52 could extend beyond 2040.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n"}}" id="text-3586a56abf" class="cmp-text">
    • The B-52’s 185-foot wingspan is too wide to take off or land in a crossing using traditional flying techniques.
    • Boeing engineers designed special landing gear that could align with the runway allowing special takeoffs and landings.
    • The original design of the B-52 placed a gunner in the tail of the aircraft. Later designs moved the gunner forward with the rest of the crew.
    • After the Gulf War in the early 1990s, the gunner position and defensive machine guns were eliminated.
    • U.S. Air Force engineering studies suggest that the lifespan of the B-52 could extend beyond 2040.