The B-52 Stratofortress is an American long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber built by Boeing, first flown in 1952 and entering United States Air Force service in 1955, designed originally to carry nuclear weapons deep into Soviet territory during the Cold War. Powered by eight turbojet or, in later variants, turbofan engines mounted in four underwing pods, the B-52 can carry a very large payload of conventional or nuclear weapons over intercontinental distances, and it has been repeatedly upgraded with modern avionics, engines and precision-guided munitions capability to keep it in frontline service far beyond its original expected lifespan. The B-52 flew extensively in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and later conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the United States Air Force plans to keep the aircraft flying past the 2050s, meaning some B-52s could remain in active service roughly a century after the type's first flight, an unmatched span for any military aircraft.
Facts
Weapon Class Introduced Year Classification
Service Status Weapon Class
Weapon Class (category) Connections
Associated With
Vietnam War, Wars B-52 Stratofortress bombers carried out the heavy Arc Light and Linebacker bombing campaigns of the Vietnam War
Operated By
Source Wikipedia: B-52 Stratofortress
Used In
Gulf War, Wars Source Wikipedia: B-52 Stratofortress
Iraq War, Wars Source Wikipedia: B-52 Stratofortress
Source Wikipedia: B-52 Stratofortress
Sources
1. Wikipedia: B-52 Stratofortress
WikipediaLead section, first sentence
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is an American nuclear-capable subsonic jet-powered strategic bomber.
Lead section, first paragraph, sentence on 1955 USAF operational start
It has been operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) since 1955 and was flown by NASA from 1959 to 2007.
service status
The B-52 flew extensively in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and later conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the United States Air Force plans to keep the aircraft flying past the 2050s, meaning some B-52s could remain in active service roughly a century after the type's first flight, an unmatched span for any military aircraft
- Weapon class classified from the entity's own sourced description text.
- Correction: a strategic bomber aircraft, not a guided missile.
Used In: Gulf War, Wikipedia article text
The B-52 has used conventional munitions in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, Iraq War, war against the Islamic State, war in Afghanistan, and 2026 Iran war.
Used In: Iraq War, Wikipedia article text
The B-52 has used conventional munitions in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, Iraq War, war against the Islamic State, war in Afghanistan, and 2026 Iran war.
Used In: Vietnam War, Wikipedia article text
The B-52 has used conventional munitions in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, Iraq War, war against the Islamic State, war in Afghanistan, and 2026 Iran war.
Operated By: United States Air Force, Wikipedia article text
It has been operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) since 1955 and was flown by NASA from 1959 to 2007.
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