Mission

     Air Combat Commands B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber 
that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of 
flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet 
(15,166.6 meters).  It can carry nuclear or conventional ordnance.

Features

     In a conventional conflict, the B-52 can perform air interdiction, 
offensive counter-air and maritime operations. It is highly effective 
when used for ocean surveillance, and can assist the U.S. Navy in 
anti-ship and mine-laying operations. Two B-52s, in two hours, can 
monitor 140,000 square miles (364,000 square kilometers) of 
ocean surface.

     All B-52s are equipped with an electro-optical viewing system 
that uses forward-looking infrared and low-light-level television 
sensors to augment the terrain-avoidance system, thus further 
improving low-level flight capability.

     All B-52s are equipped with night vision goggles (NVGs), which 
are worn by pilots to enhance their night visual, low-level terrain-
following operations. Night vision goggles provide greater safety 
during night operations by offering visually clear terrain and the 
ability to avoid enemy radar.

     Starting in 1989, selected B-52s were modified with a global 
positioning system that gave them enhanced, worldwide precision 
navigation capability.

     The use of aerial refueling gives the B-52 a range limited only 
by crew endurance.  The G models unrefueled range is more than 
7,500 miles (12,000 kilometers), while the H model, with more 
efficient engines, has an unrefueled range beyond 8,800 miles 
(14,080 kilometers).

     The aircrafts flexibility was evident during the Vietnam War and, 
again, in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, where, after 
more than three decades of service, it dropped approximately one-
third of the total tonnage of bombs delivered by U.S. Air Forces. B-
52s struck wide-area troop concentrations, fixed installations and 
bunkers, and decimated the morale of Iraqs Republican Guard.

Background

     For more than 35 years B-52 Stratofortresses have been the 
primary manned strategic bomber force for the United States. 
Updated with modern technology, the B-52 fleet will continue into 
the 21st century as an important element of our nations defenses.

     The B-52A first flew in 1954, and the B model entered service in 
1955. A total of 744 B-52s were built with the last, a B-52H, 
delivered in October 1962. Only G and H models are still in the Air 
Force inventory.

     In February 1959, the first of 193 B-52G's was delivered to 
Strategic Air Command. The G model was the first missile-carrying 
bomber and introduced many important changes over earlier 
models, such as a shorter tail fin, a redesigned wing with integral 
fuel tanks, and fixed under-wing tanks. During production of the G-
model series, the aircraft was equipped to carry AGM-69 short-
range attack missiles. Six can be carried under each wing and 
eight in the internal weapons bay. 

     The first of 102 B-52H's was delivered to Strategic Air 
Command in May 1961. The H model was modified to carry AGM-
69 short-range attack missiles. An on-going modification to the H 
model incorporates a bomb-bay rotary launcher that permits 
internal carriage of eight additional AGM-86B air-launched cruise 
missiles. While the G and H models have about the same outward 
appearance as earlier versions, the H models have been modified 
to carry externally up to 12 AGM-86B's or 12 AGM-129s.

General Characteristics

Primary Function: Heavy bomber.
Contractor: The Boeing Military Airplane Co.
Power Plant: Eight Pratt & Whitney engines:              G model - 
J57-P43WB turbojet;  H model - TF33-P-3/103 turbofan.
Thrust:  Each engine - G model up to 13,750 pounds (6,187.5 
kilograms); H model up to 17,000 pounds (7,650 kilograms).
Length: G model - 160 feet, 11 inches (49 meters); H model - 
159 feet, 4 inches (48.5 meters).
Height: 40 feet, 8 inches (12.4 meters).
Wingspan: 185 feet (56.4 meters).
Speed: 650 mph (Mach 0.86).
Ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,151.5 meters).
Weight: Approximately 185,000 pounds empty (83,250 kilograms).
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 488,000 pounds (219,600 kilograms).
Range: Unrefueled: G model - 7,500 miles (6,522 nautical miles); 
H model- 8,800 miles (7,652 nautical miles).
Armament: Approximately 70,000 pounds (31,500 kilograms) 
mixed ordnance - bombs,  short-range attack missiles, and 
mines (some modified to carry air-launched cruise missiles and 
some modified to carry anti-ship missiles).
Crew: Five (aircraft commander, pilot, radar navigator, navigator 
and electronic warfare officer).
Accommodations: Six ejection seats.
Unit Cost: G model - $64 million.
Date Deployed: February 1959.
Inventory: Active force - G model, 33; H model, 84; ANG, 0; 
Reserve, 0. 

POINT OF CONTACT:
Air Combat Command; Public Affairs Office; 90 Oak Street, 
Langley AFB, VA  23665-2191; DSN 574-5007 or (804) 764-5007.