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.
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">
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">
<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">
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 & 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
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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.
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.