B-52 Stratofortress
The B-52 Stratofortress is one of the most effective combat aircraft ever made. The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long range, strategic bomber and is commonly referred to as the “Big Ugly Fat Fellow”. The B-52 can perform strategic attack, air interdiction, offensive counter-air and maritime operations. Its maiden flight was on the April 15 1952 with Alvin “Tex” Johnston as test pilot. The Big Ugly Fat Fellow got introduced in February 1955. Its primary operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) since 1955.
The B-52 Stratofortress is a very huge airplane with a wingspan of 185 ft, length of over 159 ft and weighing nearly 220 metric tons at full load, yet still capable of barreling 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 aircraft can carry 70,000 lb of weapons both internal and external. Munitions used include conventional free fall ordnance and cruise missiles. During Desert Storm, B-52s delivered 40 percent of all the weapons dropped by coalition forces. 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. B52 bombers also have a nuclear capability made famous in the 1960s film Dr Strangelove.
With a total of 744 B-52 built, only eighty-five (85) units of the are still active and nine (9) are reserved.
Specifications (B-52 Stratofortress)
Type: Bomber aircraft
Crew: 5
Height: 40 ft 8” (12.4 meters)
Length: 159 ft 4″ (48.5 m)
Wingspan: 185 ft (56.4 m)
Empty Weight: 185,000 lb (83,250 kg)
Max. Takeoff Weight: 488,000 lb (219,600 kg)
Engine: 8x P&W TF33-P-3/103 turbofans 17,000 lbs thrust each engine
Max. Speed: 650 mph (Mach 0.86)
Max. Ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,151.5 m)
Armament: Approximately 70,000 pounds (31,500 kilograms) mixed ordnance — bombs, mines and missiles. (Modified to carry air-launched cruise missiles, Harpoon anti-ship and Have Nap missiles.)
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