B-52 Stratofortress
Mission
Air
Combat Command's 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 precision guided conventional
ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability.
Features
In a
conventional conflict, the B-52 can perform strategic attack,
air interdiction, offensive counter-air and maritime operations.
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.
All
B-52s are equipped with an electro-optical viewing system that
uses platinum silicide forward-looking infrared and high
resolution low-light-level television sensors to augment
targeting, battle assessment, and flight safety, thus further
improving its combat ability and low-level flight capability.
Pilots
wear night vision goggles (NVGs) to enhance their vision during
night operations. Night vision goggles provide greater safety
during night operations by increasing the pilot's ability to
visually clear terrain, avoid enemy radar and see other aircraft
in a covert/lights-out environment.
Starting
in 1989, on-going modifications incorporates the global
positioning system, heavy stores adapter beams for carrying
2,000 pound munitions, and a full array of advance weapons
currently under development.
The
use of aerial refueling gives the B-52 a range limited only by
crew endurance. It has an unrefueled combat range in excess of
8,800 miles (14,080 kilometers).
The
aircraft's flexibility was evident in Operation Desert Storm and
again during Operations Allied Force. B-52s struck wide-area
troop concentrations, fixed installations and bunkers, and
decimated the morale of Iraq's Republican Guard. The Gulf War
involved the longest strike mission in the history of aerial
warfare when B-52s took off from Barksdale Air Force Base, La.,
launched conventional air launched cruise missiles and returned
to Barksdale -- a 35-hour, non-stop combat mission. During
Operation Allied Force, B-52s opened the conflict with
conventional cruise missile attacks and then transitioned to
delivering general purpose bombs and cluster bomb units on
Serbian army positions and staging areas.
Background
For
more than 40 years B-52 Stratofortresses have been the backbone
of the manned strategic bomber force for the United States. The
B-52 is capable of dropping or launching the widest array of
weapons in the U.S. inventory. This includes gravity bombs,
cluster bombs, precision guided missiles and joint direct attack
munitions. Updated with modern technology the B-52 will be
capable of delivering the full complement of joint developed
weapons and will continue into the 21st century as an important
element of our nation's defenses. Current engineering analyses
show the B-52's life span to extend beyond the year 2045.
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 the H model is still in the Air
Force inventory and is assigned to Air Combat Command and the
Air Force Reserves.
The
first of 102 B-52H's was delivered to Strategic Air Command in
May 1961. The H model can carry up to 20 air launched cruise
missiles. In addition, it can carry the conventional cruise
missile that was launched in several contingencies during the
1990s, starting with Operation Desert Storm and culminating with
Operation Allied Force.
General
Characteristics
Primary
Function: Heavy bomber
Contractor: Boeing Military Airplane Co.
Power plant: Eight Pratt & Whitney engines
TF33-P-3/103 turbofan
Thrust: Each engine up to 17,000 pounds
Length: 159 feet, 4 inches (48.5 meters)
Height: 40 feet, 8 inches (12.4 meters)
Wingspan: 185 feet (56.4 meters)
Speed: 650 miles per hour (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 8,800 miles (7,652 nautical miles)
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.)
Crew: Five (aircraft commander, pilot, radar navigator,
navigator and electronic warfare officer)
Accommodations: Six ejection seats
Unit Cost: $53.4 million (fiscal 98 constant dollars)
Date Deployed: February 1955
Inventory: Active force, 85; ANG, 0; Reserve, 9
|
