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"B-52" redirects here. For other uses, see B-52 (disambiguation).
"BUFF" redirects here. For other uses, see Buff.
B-52 Stratofortress

B-52H, 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, LA
Type Strategic bomber
Manufacturer Boeing
Maiden flight 15 April 1952
Introduction February 1955
Status Active: 85[1]
Reserve: 9[1]
Primary users United States Air Force
NASA
Produced 1952-1962
Number built 744[2]
Unit cost US$14. The 2d Bomb Wing ( 2 BW) is a B-52 Stratofortress unit based at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. Barksdale Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located three Nautical miles (6 km) east of the Central business district of A strategic bomber is a heavy type Aircraft designed to drop large amounts of ordnance onto a distant target for the purposes of debilitating an enemy's An aerospace manufacturer is a company or individual involved in the various aspects of designing building testing selling and maintaining Aircraft, Aircraft parts The Boeing Company is a major Aerospace and defense corporation originally founded by William E The maiden flight of an Aircraft is the first occasion on which an aircraft leaves the ground of its own accord Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA, ˈnæsə is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nation's public space program 43 million (B-52B)[3]
$9. 28 million in 1962 (B-52H)
$53. 4 million in 1998 (B-52H)[4]

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered, strategic bomber operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) since 1955. The Boeing Company is a major Aerospace and defense corporation originally founded by William E specific --->A jet engine is a Reaction engine that discharges a fast moving jet of Fluid to A strategic bomber is a heavy type Aircraft designed to drop large amounts of ordnance onto a distant target for the purposes of debilitating an enemy's

Beginning with the successful contract bid on 5 June 1946, the B-52 went through several design steps; from a straight wing aircraft powered by six turboprop engines to the final prototype YB-52, with eight turbojet engines. Events 70 - Titus and his Roman Legions breach the middle wall of Jerusalem in the Siege of Jerusalem Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A turboprop engine is a type of aircraft powerplant that uses a Gas turbine engine to drive a Propeller. TurboJET (噴射飛航 is the brand name for the operations of the Hong Kong -based Shun Tak-China Travel Ship Management Limited (信德中旅船務管理有限公司 The aircraft made its first flight on 15 April 1952 with "Tex" Johnston as pilot. Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Alvin M "Tex" Johnston ( August 18, 1914 - October 29, 1998) was a Test pilot for Bell Aircraft and the [5]

Built to carry nuclear weapons for Cold War-era deterrence missions, the B-52 Stratofortress replaced the Convair B-36. Cold War is the state of conflict tension and competition that existed between the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR and their respective allies from the A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from Nuclear reactions either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Although a veteran of a number of wars, the Stratofortress has dropped only conventional munitions in actual combat. With the longest unrefuelled range of any contemporary bomber, the B-52 carries up to 70,000 pounds of weapons.

The USAF has had B-52s in active service since 1955, initially with the Strategic Air Command (SAC), with all aircraft later absorbed into the Air Combat Command (ACC) following SAC's disestablishment in 1992. The Strategic Air Command (SAC was both a major command and a "specified command" in the U Air Combat Command ( ACC) is a major command (MAJCOM of the United States Air Force. Superior performance at high subsonic speeds and relatively low operating costs have kept the B-52 in service despite proposals to replace it with the Mach 3 XB-70 Valkyrie, supersonic B-1B Lancer and stealthy B-2 Spirit. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout In January 2005, the B-52 became the second aircraft, after the English Electric Canberra, to mark 50 years of continuous service with its original primary operator. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout There are four aircraft altogether that have made this list; the other two being the C-130 Hercules and the Tupolev Tu-95. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

Contents

Design and development

On 23 November 1945, Air Materiel Command (AMC) issued desired performance characteristics for a new strategic bomber "capable of carrying out the strategic mission without dependence upon advanced and intermediate bases controlled by other countries". Events 800 - Charlemagne arrives at Rome to investigate the alleged crimes of Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar Air Force Logistics Command (AFLC was a former United States Air Force command [6] The aircraft was to have a crew of five plus turret gunners, and a six-man relief crew. It had to cruise at 300 Miles per hour (240 kn, 480 km/h) at 34,000 feet (10,400 m) with a combat radius of 5,000 statute miles (4,300 nmi, 8,000 km). A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit A mile is a unit of Length, usually used to measure Distance, in a number of different systems including Imperial units United States A nautical mile or sea mile is a unit of Length. It corresponds approximately to one minute of Latitude along any meridian. The armament was to consist of an unspecified number of 20 mm cannon and 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg) of bombs. The pound or pound-mass (abbreviation lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States #) is a unit of Mass [7] On 13 February 1946, the Air Force issued bid invitations for these specifications, with Boeing, Consolidated Aircraft, and Glenn L. Martin Company submitting proposals. Events 1258 - Baghdad falls to the Mongols, and the Abbasid Caliphate is destroyed Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Consolidated Aircraft Corporation was founded in 1923 by Reuben H The Glenn L Martin Company was an early US Aircraft company founded by aviation pioneer Glenn Luther Martin. [7]

Model 462 to 464-35
Model 462 to 464-35

On 5 June 1946, Boeing's Model 462, a straight-wing aircraft powered by six Wright T-35 turboprops with a gross weight of 360,000 pounds (160,000 kg) and combat radius of 3,110 statute miles (2,700 nmi, 5,010 km), was declared the winner. Events 70 - Titus and his Roman Legions breach the middle wall of Jerusalem in the Siege of Jerusalem Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A turboprop engine is a type of aircraft powerplant that uses a Gas turbine engine to drive a Propeller. [8] On 28 June 1946, Boeing was issued a letter of contract for US$1. Events 1098 - Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul. Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 7 million (1946 dollars) to build a full-scale mock-up of the new XB-52 and do preliminary engineering and testing. However, by October 1946, the Air Force began to express concern about the sheer size of the new aircraft and its inability to meet the specified design requirements. [9] In response, Boeing produced Model 464, a smaller four-engine version with a 230,000 pound (105,000 kg) gross weight, which was briefly deemed acceptable.

Then, in November 1946, the Deputy Chief of Air Staff for Research and Development, General Curtis LeMay, expressed the desire for a cruise speed of 400 miles per hour (345 kn, 645 km/h), to which Boeing responded with a 300,000 pound (140,000 kg) aircraft. Curtis Emerson LeMay (15 November 1906–3 October 1990 was a General in the United States Air Force and the vice presidential running mate of American Independent [10] In December 1946, Boeing was asked to change their design to a four-engine bomber with a top speed of 400 miles per hour, range of 12,000 statute miles (10,000 nmi, 19,000 km), and the ability to carry a nuclear weapon. A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from Nuclear reactions either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. The aircraft could weigh up to 480,000 pounds (220,000 kg). [10] Boeing responded with two models powered by the T-35 turboprops. The Model 464-16 was a "nuclear-only" bomber with a 10,000 pound payload, while the Model 464-17 was a general purpose bomber with a 90,000 pound (40,000 kg) payload. Due to the cost associated with purchasing two specialized aircraft, the Air Force selected Model 464-17 with the understanding that it could be adapted for nuclear strikes. [10]

In June 1947, the military requirements were updated and the Model 464-17 met all of them except for the range. It was becoming obvious to the Air Force that, even with the updated performance, the XB-52 would be obsolete by the time it entered production and would offer little improvement over the Convair B-36. [11] As the result, the entire project was put on hold for six months. During this time, Boeing continued to perfect the design which resulted in the Model 464-29 with a top speed of 455 miles per hour (395 kn, 730 km/h) and a 5,000-mile range. [11] In September 1947, the Heavy Bombardment Committee was convened to ascertain performance requirements for a nuclear bomber. Formalized on 8 December 1947, these called for a top speed of 500 miles per hour (440 kn, 800 km/h) and an 8,000 statute mile (7,000 nmi, 13,000 km) range, far beyond the capabilities of 464-29. Events 1609 - Biblioteca Ambrosiana opens its reading room the second public library of Europe. Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. [12]

The outright cancellation of the Boeing contract on 11 December 1947 was staved off by a plea from its president William McPherson Allen,[13] and in January 1948 Boeing was instructed to thoroughly explore recent technological innovations, including aerial refueling and the flying wing. Events 359 - Honoratus, the first known Prefect of the City of Constantinople, takes office Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. William McPherson Allen (1900 - 1985 was a US Aircraft Businessman. Aerial refueling, also called air refueling, in-flight refueling ( IFR) air-to-air refueling ( AAR) or tanking, is A flying wing is a Fixed-wing aircraft which has no definite Fuselage, with most of the crew payload and equipment being housed inside the main wing structure Noting stability and control problems Northrop was experiencing with their YB-35 and YB-49 flying wing bombers, Boeing insisted on a conventional aircraft, and in April 1948 presented a US$30 million (1948 dollars) proposal for design, construction, and testing of two Model 464-35 prototypes. The Northrop Corporation was a leading Aircraft manufacturer of the United States from its formation in 1939 until its merger with Grumman to form Northrop Grumman WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Further revisions of specifications during 1948 resulted in an aircraft with a top speed of 513 miles per hour (445 kn, 825 km/h) at 35,000 feet (10,700 m), a range of 6,909 statute miles (6,005 nmi, 11,125 km), and a 280,000 pounds (125,000 kg) gross weight which included 10,000 pounds of bombs and 19,875 US gallons (75,225 L) of fuel. [3]

Entering the Jet Age

In May 1948 the AMC asked Boeing to incorporate the previously discarded, but now more fuel-efficient, jet engine into the design. This resulted in Boeing developing yet another revision — in July 1948, Model 464-40 substituted Westinghouse J40 turbojets for the turboprops. The Westinghouse J40 was a Turbojet engine intended by the Bureau of Aeronautics in early 1946 to power several Fighter aircraft. TurboJET (噴射飛航 is the brand name for the operations of the Hong Kong -based Shun Tak-China Travel Ship Management Limited (信德中旅船務管理有限公司 [14] Nevertheless, on 21 October 1948, Boeing was told to create an entirely new aircraft using Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojets. Events 1512 - Martin Luther joins the theological faculty of the University of Wittenberg. Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

464-49 to B-52A
464-49 to B-52A
XB-52 Prototype on flight line (X-4 in foreground).
XB-52 Prototype on flight line (X-4 in foreground). WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

On 25 October, Boeing engineers produced a proposal and a hand-carved model of 464-49. Events 1147 - The Portuguese, under Afonso I, and Crusaders from England and Flanders conquer Lisbon after a [15] The new design built upon the basic layout of the B-47 Stratojet with 35° swept wings, eight engines paired in four underwing pods, and bicycle landing gear with wingtip outrigger wheels. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout A swept-wing is a wing Planform common on high-speed Aircraft, with the wing swept back instead of being set at right angles to the Fuselage. A notable feature of the landing gear was the ability to pivot the main landing gear up to 20° from the aircraft centerline to increase safety during crosswind landings. A crosswind landing is a Landing maneuver in which a significant component of the prevailing wind is perpendicular to the Runway centerline [16] The aircraft was projected to exceed all design specifications. [3] Although the full-size mock-up inspection in April 1949 was generally favorable, range again became a concern since the J40s and the early model J57s had excessive fuel consumption.

Despite talk of another revision of specifications or even a full design competition among aircraft manufacturers, General LeMay, now in charge of Strategic Air Command, insisted that performance should not be compromised due to delays in engine development. [17] In a final attempt to increase the range, Boeing created the larger 464-67, stating that once in production, the range could be further increased in subsequent modifications. [18] Following several direct interventions by LeMay,[19] on 14 February 1951 Boeing was awarded a production contract for 13 B-52As and 17 detachable reconnaissance pods. Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German Year 1951 ( MCMLI) was a Common year starting on Monday. Events of 1951 January [20] The last major design change, also at the insistence of General LeMay, was a switch from the B-47 style tandem seating to a more conventional side-by-side cockpit which increased the effectiveness of the copilot and reduced crew fatigue. [21] Both XB-52 prototypes would feature the original tandem seating arrangement with a framed bubble-type canopy. [22]

The YB-52 prototype with the bubble canopy is similar to that of the B-47
The YB-52 prototype with the bubble canopy is similar to that of the B-47
Side view of YB-52 bomber
Side view of YB-52 bomber

The YB-52 (actually, the second XB-52 with more operational equipment) first flew on 15 April 1952,[23] a 2 hour 21 minute flight from Renton Field in Renton, Washington to Larson AFB with Boeing test pilot Alvin M. Johnston and Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Guy M. A bubble canopy is a canopy made like a soap Bubble, which attempts to provide 360° vision to the pilot WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Renton Municipal Airport (renamed Clayton Scott Field in 2005 to celebrate the 100th birthday of Clayton Scott is located in Renton Washington, USA Renton is a city in King County, Washington, United States. A suburb situated 13 miles (21 km southeast of Seattle Washington, Renton Grant County International Airport is a public Airport located five miles (8 km) northwest of the Central business district (CBD of Moses Lake Alvin M "Tex" Johnston ( August 18, 1914 - October 29, 1998) was a Test pilot for Bell Aircraft and the Townsend. [24][25] The XB-52 followed on 2 October 1952. Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The thorough development,[26] including 670 days in the wind tunnel and 130 days of aerodynamic and aeroelastic testing, paid off with smooth flight testing. A wind tunnel is a research tool developed to assist with studying the effects of air moving over or around solid objects Encouraged, the Air Force increased its order to 282 B-52s. [27]

Only three of the 13 B-52As ordered were built. All were returned to Boeing, and used in their test program. [28] On 9 June 1952 the February 1951 contract was updated to order the aircraft under new specifications. Events 53 - Roman Emperor Nero marries Claudia Octavia 62 - Claudia Octavia commits Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The final ten—the first aircraft to enter active service—were completed as B-52Bs. [28] At the roll out ceremony on 18 March 1954, Air Force Chief of Staff, General Twining said:

“ The long rifle was the great weapon of its day. Events 37 - The Roman Senate annuls Tiberius ' will and proclaims Caligula emperor Year 1954 ( MCMLIV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1954 Gregorian calendar) Nathan Farragut Twining (TWI-ning ( October 11, 1897 - March 29, 1982) was a United States Air Force General, born The term Long Rifle (or alternately Pennsylvania or "Kentucky" Rifle) refers to a type of Rifle used in early America by both . . . Today this B-52 is the long rifle of the air age. [29] ”

In informal circumstances, the official name Stratofortress was rarely used; personnel involved with the aircraft most commonly referred to it as BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fucker). [30][31] The more polite version of this is often quoted as Big Ugly Fat Fellow.

Operational history

See also: List of B-52 Units of the United States Air Force

Although the B-52A was the first production variant, these aircraft were used only in testing. See also B-52 Stratofortress For other uses see B-52 (disambiguation. The first operational version was the B-52B which had been developed in parallel with the prototypes since 1951. First flying in December 1954, B-52B, AF Serial Number 52-8711, entered operational service with 93rd Heavy Bombardment Wing at Castle Air Force Base, California, on 29 June 1955. The 93d Air-Ground Operations Wing is a support wing of the United States Air Force. Castle Air Force Base (1941-1995 is a former United States Air Force Strategic Air Command base located northeast of Atwater, northwest of Merced California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Events 512 - A Solar eclipse is recorded by a monastic chronicler in Ireland. Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar) The wing became operational on 12 March 1956. Events 538 - Witiges, king of the Ostrogoths ends his siege of Rome and retreats to Ravenna, leaving Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The training for B-52 crews consisted of five weeks of ground school and four weeks of flying, accumulating 35-50 hours in the air. [3] The new B-52Bs replaced operational B-36s on a one-to-one basis.

Early operations were complicated by lack of spares and ground facilities while ramps and taxiways deteriorated under the weight of the aircraft. The fuel system was prone to leaks and icing, and bombing and fire control computers were unreliable. The two-story cockpit presented a unique climate control problem – the pilots' cockpit was heated by sunlight while the observer and the navigator on the bottom deck sat on the ice cold floor. Thus, comfortable temperature setting for the pilots caused the other crew members to freeze, while comfortable temperature for the bottom crew caused the pilots to overheat. The J57 engines were still new and unreliable. Alternator failure caused the first fatal B-52 crash in February 1956,[32] which resulted in a brief grounding of the fleet. alternator is an electromechanical device that converts mechanical energy to Alternating current electrical energy In July, fuel and hydraulic system problems again grounded the B-52s. To avoid maintenance problems, the Air Force set up Sky Speed teams of 50 maintenance contractors at each B-52 base. In addition to maintenance, the teams performed routine checkups which took one week per aircraft. [3]

Three B-52Bs of the 93rd Bomb Wing prepare to depart Castle AFB, California, for their record-setting round-the-world flight in 1957
Three B-52Bs of the 93rd Bomb Wing prepare to depart Castle AFB, California, for their record-setting round-the-world flight in 1957

On 21 May 1956, a B-52B (52-0013) dropped its first live hydrogen bomb (a Mk.15) over the Bikini Atoll. Castle Air Force Base (1941-1995 is a former United States Air Force Strategic Air Command base located northeast of Atwater, northwest of Merced Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily. Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Teller–Ulam design is a Nuclear weapon design which is used in Megaton -range Thermonuclear weapons and is more colloquially referred to as "the The Mark 15 nuclear bomb was a 1950s American Thermonuclear bomb, the first relatively lightweight (7600 lb / 3450 kg thermonuclear bomb created by the United States Bikini Atoll (also known as Pikinni Atoll) is an Atoll in one of the Micronesian Islands in the Pacific Ocean, part of Republic of the Marshall [33] On 24–25 November 1956, four B-52Bs of the 93rd BW and four B-52Cs of the 42nd BW flew nonstop around the perimeter of North America in Operation Quick Kick, covering 15,530 statute miles (13,500 nm, 25,000 km) in 31 hours 30 minutes. Events 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, the Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The SAC noted that the flight time could have been reduced by 5-6 hours if the four inflight refuellings were done by fast jet-powered tanker aircraft rather than propeller-driven KC-97 Stratotankers. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout In a demonstration of the B-52s global reach, on 16–18 January 1957, three B-52Bs made a nonstop flight around the world during Operation Power Flite, covering 24,325 statute miles (21,145 nm, 39,165 km) in 45 hours 19 minutes with several in-flight refuelings by KC-97s. Events 350 - Generallus Magnentius deposes Roman Emperor Constans and proclaims himself Emperor Year 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar) [32] The 93rd Bomb Wing received the Mackay Trophy for their accomplishment. The Mackay Trophy was donated in 1911 by Clarence H Mackay who was then head of the Postal Telegraph-Cable Company and the Commercial Cable Company

The B-52 set many records over the next few years. On 26 September 1958, a B-52D set a world speed record of 560. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar dedicates a Year 1958 ( MCMLVIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 705 miles per hour (487 kn, 902 km/h) over a 10,000 kilometers (5,400 nm, 6,210 mi) closed circuit without a payload. The same day, another B-52D established a world speed record of 597. 675 miles per hour (519 kn, 962 km/h) over a 5,000 kilometer (2,700 nmi, 3,105 mi) closed circuit without a payload. [34] On 14 December 1960, a B-52G set a world record by flying unrefueled for 10,078. Events 1287 - St Lucia's flood: The Zuider Zee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses killing over 50000 people Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 84 statute miles (8,762 nm, 16,227 km). The flight lasted 19 hours 44 minutes. On 10–11 January 1962, a B-52H set a world record by flying unrefuelled from Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, to Torrejon Air Base, Spain, covering 12,532. Events 1055 - Theodora is crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire. Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Kadena Air Base is a United States Air Force base located in the towns is one of Japan 's southern prefectures, and consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over 1000 km long which extends southwest from Kyūshū For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. Madrid-Torrejón Airport is a commercial airport in Spain It is a joint-use facility between the Spanish Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Public Works Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. 28 statute miles (10,895 nmi, 20,177 km). [3]

During this time, at the Strategic Air Command's peak strength in 1963, 650 B-52s were in operation in 42 squadrons at 38 air bases. [35]

Vietnam War

Main article: Vietnam War

With the escalating situation in Southeast Asia, in June 1964 28 B-52Fs were fitted with external racks for 24× 750 pound (340 kg) bombs under project South Bay. The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia An additional 46 aircraft received similar modifications under project Sun Bath. In March 1965, the United States commenced Operation Rolling Thunder, and the first combat mission of Operation Arc Light was flown by B-52Fs on 18 June 1965, when thirty bombers of the 9th and 441st Bombardment Squadrons struck a communist stronghold near Ben Cat in South Vietnam. Operation Arc Light was the 1965 deployment of B-52F Stratofortress as conventional bombers from bases in the US to Guam. Events 618 - Coronation of the Chinese governor Li Yuan as Emperor Gaozu of Tang, the new Emperor of China, initiating three centuries Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. The first wave of bombers arrived too early at a designated rendezvous point, and while maneuvering to maintain station, two B-52s collided, resulting in the loss of both bombers and their eight crewmen. The remaining bombers, minus one more which turned back due to mechanical problems, continued on towards the target, which was bombed successfully. [36]

B-52 releasing its payload of bombs.
B-52 releasing its payload of bombs.

In December 1965, a number of B-52Ds underwent Big Belly modifications to increase bomb capacity for carpet bombings. Carpet bombing refers to the tactical bombing of a strategic area usually by the use of large numbers of unguided Gravity bombs often with a high proportion of incendiary While the external payload remained at 24× 500 pound (227 kg) or 750 pound (340 kg) bombs, the internal capacity increased from 27 to 84× 500 pound bombs or from 27 to 42× 750 pound bombs. [37] The Big Belly modification now created enough capacity for a total of 60,000 pounds (27215 kg) in 108 bombs. Thus modified, B-52Ds could carry 22,000 pounds (9,980 kg) more than B-52Fs. [38] Replacing B-52Fs, modified B-52Ds entered combat in April 1966 flying from Andersen Air Force Base,Guam. Andersen Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base on the northern end of the island of Guam, largely within the village of Yigo but also stretching Guam ( Chamorro: cha Guåhån) officially the Territory of Guam, is an island in the western Pacific Ocean and is an organized unincorporated Each bombing mission lasted ten to 12 hours with an aerial refueling by KC-135 Stratotankers. Aerial refueling, also called air refueling, in-flight refueling ( IFR) air-to-air refueling ( AAR) or tanking, is WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout [23] In spring 1967, the aircraft began flying from U Tapao Airfield in Thailand which had the advantage of not requiring in-flight refueling. For the military use of the facility see U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield U-Tapao International Airport, also spelled Utapao and The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj [37] These missions lasted only 2 to 3 hours. On 15 April 1968, a Replacement Training Unit was established at Castle AFB which converted B-52E through B-52H crews to B-52Ds so they could participate in combat in Southeast Asia. Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Castle Air Force Base (1941-1995 is a former United States Air Force Strategic Air Command base located northeast of Atwater, northwest of Merced [39]

On 22 November 1972, a B-52D (55-0110) from U-Tapao was hit by a SAM while on a raid over Vinh. Events 498 - Kofi Aseidu- After the death of Anastasius II, Symmachus is elected Pope in the Lateran Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A surface to air missile ( SAM) or ground-to-air missile ( GTAM) is a Missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy Aircraft The crew was forced to abandon the damaged aircraft over Thailand. This was the first B-52 to be destroyed by hostile fire in Vietnam. [34]

The zenith of B-52 attacks in Vietnam was Operation Linebacker II which consisted of waves of B-52s (mostly D models, but some Gs without jamming equipment and with a smaller bomb load). Operation Linebacker II was a US Seventh Air Force and US Navy Task Force 77 aerial bombardment campaign conducted against targets in the Over 12 days B-52s flew 729 sorties,[40] dropping 15,237 tons of bombs on Hanoi, Haiphong, and other targets. Hanoi ( Vietnamese: Hà Nội Hán Tự: 河[[wikt 内|内]], estimated population 3398889 (2007, is the Capital of Vietnam [41]

Thirty-one B-52s were lost in Vietnam,[42] in the course of flying 126,615 combat sorties. [43] Of these, 18 were shot down or damaged beyond repair by ground fire (including surface-to-air missiles). A surface to air missile ( SAM) or ground-to-air missile ( GTAM) is a Missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy Aircraft Two B-52Fs were lost in a midair collision during the first Arc Light mission. Seven B-52Gs were lost during Linebacker II, six to SAMs and one to structural failure. [3]

B-52D tail gunners were credited with shooting down two MiG-21 "Fishbeds"; one on 18 December 1972, by SSgt Samuel O. Tail Gunner is a monochrome vector arcade game created by Vectorbeam in 1979 WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Events 218 BC - Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia - Hannibal 's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. For the Brush-footed butterfly Species, see Athyma selenophora. Turner, and one on 24 December 1972, by A1C Albert E. Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Airman 1st Class ( A1C) is the third enlisted rank (E-3 in the United States Air Force, just above Airman and below Senior Airman. Moore. Turner was awarded a Silver Star for his actions. The Silver Star is the third highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces. [44] The last Arc Light mission took place on 15 August 1973 and all B-52s left Southeast Asia shortly after. Events 778 - The Battle of Roncevaux Pass, at which Roland is killed Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. [34]

Cold War

Main article: Cold War
B-52 Airborne Nuclear Alert route
B-52 Airborne Nuclear Alert route

During the Cold War, B-52s performed airborne alert duty under code names such as Head Start, Chrome Dome, Hard Head, Round Robin, and Giant Lance. Cold War is the state of conflict tension and competition that existed between the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR and their respective allies from the Cold War is the state of conflict tension and competition that existed between the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR and their respective allies from the Bombers loitered near points outside the Soviet Union to provide rapid first strike or retaliation capability in case of nuclear war. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 [45][46]

On 17 January 1966, a fatal collision occurred between a B-52G and a KC-135 Stratotanker over Palomares, Spain. Events 38 BC - Octavian marries Livia Drusilla. 1287 - King Alfonso III of Aragon invades Minorca Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. The Palomares hydrogen bombs incident occurred on January 17 1966 when a B-52G bomber of the USAF Strategic Air Command collided with a KC-135 WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The four B-28 FI 1. 45-megaton-range nuclear bombs on the B-52 were eventually recovered. Two of the four bombs had a minor detonation, as the warheads' conventional explosives were set off, with serious dispersion of both plutonium and uranium. Uranium (jʊˈreɪniəm is a silvery-gray Metallic Chemical element in the The main fuse safety withstood the violent impact and explosion, preventing a nuclear disaster. After the crash, 1,400 tons of contaminated soil were sent to the United States. [3] The crash and the decontamination were too expensive to risk again and ended the airborne alert program. In 2006 an agreement to investigate and clean the pollution after the accident was made between the U. S. and Spain. [47]

On 21 January 1968, another B-52G with four nuclear bombs aboard crashed on the ice of the North Star Bay while attempting an emergency landing at Thule Air Base, Greenland. Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade. Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. North Star Bay (North Star Bugt also called Thule Harbor) is a Bay in Wolstenholme Fjord, Greenland. Thule Air Base, (or Thule Air Base/Pituffik Airport), an unincorporated Enclave within Qaanaaq Municipality, Greenland Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat meaning "Land of the Greenlanders" Grønland is a self-governing Danish Province located between the [48] The resulting fire caused extensive radioactive contamination the cleanup of which lasted until September of that year. [3]

The Yom Kippur War in October 1973 saw the Soviet Union threaten to intervene on behalf of Egypt and Syria. The Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War (מלחמת יום הכיפורים transliterated: Milkhemet Yom HaKipurim or מלחמת יום The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Syria ( سوريّة or) officially the Syrian Arab Republic (Arabic ar الجمهورية العربية السورية To stop the Soviets, President Richard M. Nixon called on the military to raise its alert level to DEFCON 3. President is a Title leaders of Organizations companies, Trade unions universities, and countries. The DEFense readiness CONdition ( DEFCON) is a measure of the activation and readiness level of the United States Armed Forces. Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird ordered the B-52s to an immediate war footing and fully armed and fueled B-52s were circling Greenland. The United States Secretary of Defense ( SECDEF) is the head of the U Melvin Robert (Bom Laird (born September 1, 1922) is an American politician and writer Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat meaning "Land of the Greenlanders" Grønland is a self-governing Danish Province located between the The Soviet Union did not become directly involved in the war.

B-52Bs reached the end of their structural service life by the mid-1960s and all were retired by June 1966, followed by the last of the B-52Cs on 29 September 1971; except for NASA's B-52B "008" which was eventually retired in 2004 at Edwards AFB, California. Events 522 BC - Darius I of Persia kills the Magian usurper Gaumâta securing his hold as king of the Persian Empire. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA, ˈnæsə is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nation's public space program The Balls Eight is a NASA NB-52B Mothership, NASA Tail number 52-008 Edwards Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located on the border of Kern County and Los Angeles County California in the Antelope California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. [49] Another of the remaining B Models, "005" is on display at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Denver, Colorado. The Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum (WOR is located on the former grounds of Lowry Air Force Base in Denver Colorado. The Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum (WOR is located on the former grounds of Lowry Air Force Base in Denver Colorado. The City and County of Denver (pronounced /ˈdɛnvɚ/ is the Capital and the most populous city of Colorado, in the United States

Retired B-52s are stored at the 309th AMARG (formerly AMARC), a desert storage facility often called the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan AFB near Tucson, Arizona
Retired B-52s are stored at the 309th AMARG (formerly AMARC), a desert storage facility often called the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan AFB near Tucson, Arizona[50]

A few time-expired E models were retired in 1967 and 1968, but the bulk (82) were retired between May 1969 and March 1970. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base adjacent to Tucson, Arizona. Tucson (ˈtuːsɒn is the seat of Pima County Arizona, United States, located 118 miles (188 km) southeast Most F models were also retired between 1967 and 1973, but 23 survived as trainers until late 1978.

The fleet of D models served much longer. Eighty D models were updated under the Pacer Plank program (ECP 1581) at Boeing's Wichita plant. Skinning on the lower wing and fuselage was replaced, and various structural components were renewed. Work was completed in 1977. The fleet of D models stayed largely intact until late 1978, when 37 were retired. The remainder were retired between 1982 and 1983.

The remaining G and H models were used for nuclear standby ("alert") duty as part of the United States' nuclear triad. A nuclear triad refers to a nuclear arsenal which consists of three components This triad was the combination of nuclear-armed land-based missiles, submarine-based missiles and manned bombers. The B-1B Lancer which was intended to supplant the B-52, replaced only the older models and the supersonic FB-111. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

After the fall of the Soviet Union, the B-52Gs were destroyed per the terms of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). START (for St rategic A rms R eduction T reaty is a Treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet AMARG was tasked with eliminating 365 B-52 bombers. The progress of this task was to be verified by Russia via satellite and first-person inspection at the AMARG facility. Initially, the B-52s were chopped into pieces with a 13,000 pound guillotine.

In 1991, B-52s ceased continuous 24-hour SAC alert duty.

Gulf war and later

See also: Gulf War

On 16 February 1991 a flight of B-52Gs launching from and returning to Barksdale AFB, in Louisiana, struck targets inside Iraq. Events 1249 - Andrew of Longjumeau is dispatched by Louis IX of France as his ambassador to meet with the Khan of the Mongols Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Barksdale Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located three Nautical miles (6 km) east of the Central business district of This was at the time the longest distance combat mission in history: 35 hours and 14,000 statute miles round trip. [51] Over the next months, B-52Gs operating from bases in the United Kingdom, Spain and on the island of Diego Garcia flew low level bombing missions. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Diego Garcia is the largest Atoll, in terms of land area in Chagos Archipelago, part of the British Indian Ocean Territory. The B-52s moved to high level missions after Coalition forces ensured air superiority and were able to suppress air defense systems capable of reaching bombers at a higher altitude. B-52s were an important part of the air war during Operation Desert Storm as they could be employed with impunity. The conventional strikes were carried out by three bombers dropping 153 750 pound bombs at a time, covering an area one and a half miles long by one mile wide. The bombings demoralized the defending Iraqi troops, and they could be induced to surrender rather than be destroyed. [52] Flying approximately 1620 sorties in the Gulf War, B-52s delivered 40% of the weapons dropped by coalition forces,[4] while suffering only one aircraft loss, with several receiving minor damage from enemy action.

On 2–3 September 1996, two B-52H struck Baghdad power stations and communications facilities with 13 AGM-86C air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM) as part of Operation Desert Strike, a 34-hour, 16,000 statute mile round trip mission from Andersen AFB, on Guam—the longest distance ever flown for a combat mission. Events 36 BC - In the Battle of Naulochus, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, Admiral of Octavian, defeats Sextus Pompeius Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Operation Desert Strike was a Military operation that lasted for a few weeks in September 1996 during one of the Iraqi disarmament crises. Andersen Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base on the northern end of the island of Guam, largely within the village of Yigo but also stretching [53] Only two days prior, the crews had completed a 17-hour flight from Louisiana to Guam. Guam ( Chamorro: cha Guåhån) officially the Territory of Guam, is an island in the western Pacific Ocean and is an organized unincorporated

A B-52H Stratofortress takes off from Andersen Air Force Base.
A B-52H Stratofortress takes off from Andersen Air Force Base. Andersen Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base on the northern end of the island of Guam, largely within the village of Yigo but also stretching

The B-52 also contributed to the US success in Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001 (Afghanistan/Southwest Asia), providing the ability to loiter high above the battlefield and provide Close Air Support (CAS) through the use of precision guided munitions, a mission which previously would have been restricted to fighter and ground attack aircraft. Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF is the official name used by the U In Aeronautics and Aviation, loiter is a phase of flight The phase consists of cruising for a certain amount of time over a small region

B-52s also played a role in Operation Iraqi Freedom, which commenced on 20 March 2003 (Iraq/Southwest Asia). The 2003 invasion of Iraq, from March 20 to May 1 2003 was spearheaded by the United States, backed by British forces and smaller contingents from Australia Events 1600 - The Linköping Bloodbath takes place on Maundy Thursday in Linköping, Sweden. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. On the night of 21 March 2003, B-52Hs launched at least 100 AGM-86 ALCMs. Events 630 - Byzantine emperor Heraclius restores the True Cross to Jerusalem. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. The Boeing AGM-86 ALCM ( AGM-86A, AGM-86B and AGM-86C) is an American Subsonic air-launched Cruise missile [54]

The B-52H, the only variant still in service, is currently active in:

Service modifications

In November 1959, SAC initiated the Big Four modification program (also known as Modification 1000) for all operational B-52s except early B models. The program was completed by 1963. [55] The four modifications were:

  1. Ability to perform all-weather, low-altitude (below 500 feet (150 m)) interdiction as a response to advancements in Soviet Union's missile defenses. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 The low-altitude flights were estimated to accelerate structural fatigue by at least a factor of eight, requiring costly repairs to extend service life.
  2. Ability to launch AGM-28 Hound Dog standoff nuclear missiles
  3. Ability to launch ADM-20 Quail decoys
  4. An advanced electronic countermeasures (ECM) suite

The ability to carry up to 20 AGM-69 SRAM nuclear missiles was added to G and H models starting in 1971 . The McDonnell ADM-20 Quail was a subsonic, jet powered air-launched Decoy Cruise missile built by McDonnell Aircraft Corporation Electronic Countermeasures ( ECM') are a subsection of Electronic warfare which includes any sort of electrical or electronic device designed to trick The Boeing AGM-69 SRAM (Short-range attack missile was a nuclear Air-to-surface missile designed to replace the older AGM-28 Hound Dog [56] Fuel leaks due to deteriorating Marman clamps continued to plague all variants of the B-52. A Marman clamp is a type of heavy-duty Band clamp: this allows two flat cylindrical interfaces to be simply clamped together with a ring clamp To this end, the aircraft were subjected to Blue Band (1957), Hard Shell (1958), and finally QuickClip (1958) programs. The latter fitted safety straps which prevented catastrophic loss of fuel in case of clamp failure. [57]

Ongoing problems with advanced avionics were addressed in the Jolly Well program, completed in 1964, which improved components of the AN/ASQ-38 bombing navigational computer and the terrain computer. The MADREC (Malfunction Detection and Recording) upgrade fitted to most aircraft by 1965 could detect failures in avionics and weapons computer systems, and was essential in monitoring the Hound Dog missiles. The electronic countermeasures capability of the B-52 was expanded with Rivet Rambler (1971) and Rivet Ace (1973). Electronic Countermeasures ( ECM') are a subsection of Electronic warfare which includes any sort of electrical or electronic device designed to trick [58]

Structural fatigue, exacerbated by the change to low-altitude missions, was first dealt with in the early 1960s by the three-phase High Stress program which enrolled aircraft at 2,000 flying hours. [59] This was followed by a 2,000-hour service life extension to select airframes in 1966-1968, and the extensive Pacer Plank reskinning completed in 1977. [3] The wet wing introduced on G and H models was even more susceptible to fatigue due to experiencing 60% more stress during flight than the old wing. A wet wing is an Aerospace engineering technique where an aircraft's Wing structure is sealed and used as a Fuel tank. The wings were modified by 1964 under ECP 1050. [60] This was followed by a fuselage skin and longeron replacement (ECP 1185) in 1966, and B-52 Stability Augmentation and Flight Control program (ECP 1195) in 1967. In Aircraft construction a Longeron or Stringer is a thin strip of wood or metal to which the skin of the aircraft is fastened [60]

In 2007 the LITENING targeting pod was fitted and commissioned increasing the combat effectiveness of the aircraft during day, night and under-the-weather conditions in the attack of ground targets with a variety of standoff weapons under the guidance of LASERs and the help of high resolution forward-looking infrared sensor (FLIR) for visual display in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and charged coupled device (CCD-TV) camera used to obtain target imagery in the visible portion, this technology could also be used in real-time transmission to ground communications networks and government agencies to gather battlefield intelligence, assess battlefield damage, assess terrorist activities and counter drug activity, further advancing the B-52H's capabilities and uses. The LITENING targeting pod is a precision targeting pod system currently operational with a wide variety of combat aircraft A laser is a device that emits Light ( Electromagnetic radiation) through a process called Stimulated emission. A forward looking infrared (FLIR is an imaging device that senses infrared radiation A charge-coupled device ( CCD) is an analog Shift register, that enables the transportation of analog signals (electric charges through successive stages (capacitors

Fuel research platform

In September 2006, the B-52 became one of the first US military aircraft to fly using 'alternative' fuel. Syntroleum Corporation, a leader in Fischer-Tropsch process (FT) technology, announced that its Ultra-Clean jet fuel had been successfully tested in a B-52. Syntroleum Corporation ( is a United States company engaged in development and commercialization of proprietary Gas to liquids (GTL and Coal to liquids The Fischer-Tropsch process (or Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis is a catalyzed chemical reaction in which synthesis gas ( Syngas) a mixture of Carbon monoxide It took off from Edwards Air Force Base with a 50/50 blend of FT and traditional JP-8 jet fuel which was burned in two of the eight engines on the aircraft. Edwards Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located on the border of Kern County and Los Angeles County California in the Antelope JP-8, or JP8 (for "Jet Propellant" is a Jet fuel, specified in 1990 by the U This marked the first time that FT jet fuel was tested in a military flight demo, and is the first of several planned test flights. [61]

On 15 December 2006, tail number 61-0034, Wise Guy took off from Edwards with the synthetic fuel blend powering all eight engines, the first time an Air Force aircraft was completely powered by the mixture. Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The test flight was captained by Major General Curtis Bedke, commander of the Edwards Flight Test Center, the first time in 36 years that the installation's commander performed a first flight in a flight test program. The flight lasted seven hours, reached an altitude of 48,000 feet, and was considered a success. [61]

On 8 August 2007, Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne certified the B-52H as fully approved to use the FT blend, marking the formal conclusion of the test program. Events 1220 - Sweden is defeated by Estonian tribes in the Battle of Lihula. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Secretary of the Air Force ( SECAF) is the civilian head of the United States Department of the Air Force, a component organization of the Department Michael W Wynne is an American business executive and was the 22nd United States Secretary of the Air Force. [62]

This program is part of the Department of Defense Assured Fuel Initiative, an effort to develop secure domestic sources for the military energy needs. The United States Department of Defense ( DOD or DoD) is the federal department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government The Pentagon hopes to reduce its use of crude oil from foreign producers and obtain about half of its aviation fuel from alternative sources by 2016. [61] With the B-52 now approved to use the FT blend, the USAF will use the test protocols developed during the program to certify the C-17 Globemaster III and then the B-1B to use the fuel (the first B-1 test flight took place in March, 2008). WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Air Force intends to test and certify every airframe in its inventory to use the fuel by 2011. [62]

Future of the B-52

The Air Force intends to keep the B-52 in service until at least 2040, an unprecedented length of service for a military aircraft. [4][63] B-52s are periodically refurbished at the USAF maintenance depots such as Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Tinker Air Force Base is a major US Air Force base located in the southeast Oklahoma City area near the suburb of Midwest City, Oklahoma. Oklahoma ( is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America.

Boeing suggested re-engining the B-52H fleet with the Rolls-Royce RB211 534E-4. The Rolls-Royce RB211 is a family of high-bypass Turbofan engines made by Rolls-Royce plc and capable of generating 37400 to 60600 pounds-force (166 This would involve replacing the eight Pratt & Whitney TF33s (total thrust 8 × 17,000 lb) with four RB211s (total thrust 4 × 37,400lb). WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The RR engines will increase the range and payload of the fleet and reduce fuel consumption. However, the cost of the project would be significant. Procurement would cost approximately US$2. 56 billion (US$36 million × 71 aircraft). A General Accounting Office study of the proposal concluded that Boeing's estimated savings of US$4. The Government Accountability Office ( GAO) is the Audit, Evaluation, and investigative arm of the United States Congress. 7 billion would not be realized. They found that it would cost the Air Force US$1. 3 billion over keeping the existing engines. [64] This was subsequently disputed in a Defense Sciences Board report in 2003 and revised in 2004 that identified numerous errors in the prior evaluation of the Boeing proposal, and urged the Air Force to re-engine the aircraft without delay. Further, the DSB report stated the program would save substantial funds, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase aircraft range and endurance, duplicating the results of a Congressionally funded US$3M program office study conducted in 2003. [65]

The USAF continues to rely on the B-52 because it remains an effective and economical heavy bomber, particularly in the type of missions that have been conducted since the end of the Cold War, mainly against nations that have limited air defense capabilities. The B-52's capacity to "loiter" for extended periods over (or even well outside) the battlefield, while delivering precision standoff and direct fire munitions, has been a valuable asset in conflicts such as Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. In Aeronautics and Aviation, loiter is a phase of flight The phase consists of cruising for a certain amount of time over a small region In the context of warfare direct fire means aiming through a Sight directly at the target Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF is the official name used by the U Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت,

The speed and stealth of the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit have only been useful until enemy air defenses were destroyed, a task that has been swiftly achieved in recent conflicts. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The B-52 boasts the highest mission capable rate of the three types of heavy bombers operated by the USAF. Whereas the B-1 averages a 53% ready rate, and the B-2 achieved a 26%, the B-52 averages 80%. [50]

Costs

The costs are in approximate 1955 United States dollars and have not been adjusted for inflation. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been [3]

X/YB-52 B-52A B-52B B-52C B-52D B-52E B-52F B-52G B-52H
Unit R&D cost 100 million
Airframe 26,433,518 11,328,398 5,359,017 4,654,494 3,700,750 3,772,247 5,351,819 6,076,157
Engines 2,848,120 2,547,472 1,513,220 1,291,415 1,256,516 1,787,191 1,427,611 1,640,373
Electronics 50,761 61,198 71,397 68,613 54,933 60,111 66,374 61,020
Armament 47,874 482,284 293,346 548,353 931,665 862,839 840,000 1,501,422
Ordnance 9,193 11,520 10,983 17,928 4,626 3,016 6,809 6,804
Flyaway cost 28. The phrase research and development (also R and D or more often R&D) according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers 38 million 14. 43 million 7. 24 million 6. 58 million 5. 94 million 6. 48 million 7. 69 million 9. 28 million
Maintenance cost per flying hour 925 1,025 1,025 1,182

Variants

Production numbers[2]
Variant Produced Entered Service
XB-52 2 (1 redesignated YB-52) prototypes
B-52A 3
NB-52A 1 Modified B-52A
B-52B 50 29 June 1955
RB-52B 27 Modified B-52Bs
NB-52B 1 Modified B-52B
B-52C 35 June 1956
B-52D 170 December 1956
B-52E 100 December 1957
B-52F 89 June 1958
B-52G 193 13 February 1959
B-52H 102 9 May 1961
Grand total 744 production

The B-52 went through several design changes and variants over its 10 years of production. Events 512 - A Solar eclipse is recorded by a monastic chronicler in Ireland. Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar) Events 1258 - Baghdad falls to the Mongols, and the Abbasid Caliphate is destroyed The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1457 BC - Battle of Megiddo (15th century BC between Thutmose III and a large Canaanite coalition under the King of Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. [3]

B-52A 
Only three of first production version, the B-52A, were built, all loaned to Boeing for flight testing. [23] The first production B-52A differed from prototypes in having redesigned forward fuselage. The bubble canopy and tandem seating was replaced by a side-by-side arrangement and a 21 inch (53 cm) nose extension accommodated more avionics and a new 6th crew member. Avionics means "aviation electronics" It comprises electronic systems for use on aircraft artificial satellites and spacecraft comprising Communications [66] In the rear fuselage a tail turret with four 0. 50 inch (12. 7 mm) machine guns with a fire-control system, and a water injection system to augment engine power with a 360 US gallon (1,363 L) water tank was added. Water injection, also known as anti-detonant injection, is a method for cooling the Combustion chambers of Engines by adding Water to the incoming The aircraft also carried a 1,000 US gallon (3,785 L) external fuel tank under each wing. [66] The tanks acted as dampeners to reduce wing flex and also kept wingtips close to the ground for ease of maintenance.
NB-52A 
The last B-52A (serial 52-0003) was modified and redesignated NB-52A in 1959 to carry the North American X-15. A pylon was fitted under the right wing between the fuselage and the inboard engines with a 6 feet x 8 feet (1. 8 m x 2. 4 m) section removed from the right wing flap to fit the X-15 tail. Flaps are hinged surfaces on the trailing edge of the wings of a Fixed-wing aircraft. Liquid oxygen tanks were installed in the bomb bays to fuel the X-15 before launch. First flight with X-15 was on 10 March 1959, and NB-52A carried the X-15 on 59 of the program's 199 flights. Events 241 BC - First Punic War: Battle of the Aegates Islands - The Romans sink the Carthaginian fleet bringing The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Converted RB-52B to B-52B Balls 5 at Wings Museum.
Converted RB-52B to B-52B Balls 5 at Wings Museum. The Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum (WOR is located on the former grounds of Lowry Air Force Base in Denver Colorado.
B-52B/RB-52B 
The B-52B was the first version to enter service with the USAF on 29 June 1955, with the 93rd Bombardment Wing at Castle AFB in California. Events 512 - A Solar eclipse is recorded by a monastic chronicler in Ireland. Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar) The 93d Air-Ground Operations Wing is a support wing of the United States Air Force. Castle Air Force Base (1941-1995 is a former United States Air Force Strategic Air Command base located northeast of Atwater, northwest of Merced This version included minor changes to engines and avionics, in the attempt to fix minor problems. Temporary grounding of the aircraft in February 1956, after a crash, and the following July, caused training delays, and at mid-year there were still no combat-ready B-52 crews. [32]
Of the 50 B-52Bs built, 27 were capable of carrying a reconnaissance pod as RB-52Bs (the crew was increased to eight in these aircraft). [23] The 300 pound (136 kg) pod contained radio receivers, a combination of K-36, K-38 and T-11 cameras, and two operators on downward-firing ejection seats. In Aircraft, an ejection seat is a system designed to rescue the pilot or other crew of an aircraft (usually military in an emergency The pod required only four hours to install. [32]
Seven B-52Bs were brought to B-52C standard under Project Sunflower. [32]
NASA's NB-52B Balls 8 (lower) and its replacement B-52H on the flight line at Edwards Air Force Base.
NASA's NB-52B Balls 8 (lower) and its replacement B-52H on the flight line at Edwards Air Force Base. The Balls Eight is a NASA NB-52B Mothership, NASA Tail number 52-008 Edwards Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located on the border of Kern County and Los Angeles County California in the Antelope
NB-52B 
The NB-52B was B-52B number 52-0008 converted to an X-15 launch platform. It subsequently flew as the "Balls 8" in support of NASA research until 17 December 2004, making it the oldest flying B-52B. The Balls Eight is a NASA NB-52B Mothership, NASA Tail number 52-008 The National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA, ˈnæsə is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nation's public space program Events 546 - Gothic War (535–554: The Ostrogoths of King Totila "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " It was replaced by a modified B-52H. [67]
B-52C 
In the B-52C the fuel capacity (and range) was increased to 41,700 US gallons by adding larger 3000 US gallon underwing fuel tanks. The gross weight was increased by 30,000 pounds (13,605 kg) to 450,000 pounds. The belly of the aircraft was painted with antiflash white paint, which was intended to reflect thermal radiation away after a nuclear detonation. Anti-flash white is a brilliant White Colour commonly seen on United States and British nuclear bombers in the 1950s and 1960s [68]
RB-52C 
The RB-52C was the designation given, but seldom used, to B-52Cs converted for reconnaissance duties in a similar manner to RB-52Bs. [68]
B-52D 
The B-52D was a dedicated long-range bomber without a reconnaissance option. The Big Belly modifications allowed the B-52D to carry heavy loads of conventional bombs for carpet bombing over Vietnam. Carpet bombing refers to the tactical bombing of a strategic area usually by the use of large numbers of unguided Gravity bombs often with a high proportion of incendiary Aircraft assigned to Vietnam were painted camouflage with black bellies to defeat searchlights. [69]
B-52E 
In the B-52E the aircraft had an updated avionics and bombing navigational system, which was eventually debugged and included on following models. [70]
One E aircraft (number 56-0631) modified as a testbed for various B-52 systems. Redesignated NB-52E, the aircraft was fitted with canards and a Load Alleviation and Mode Stabilization system (LAMS) which reduced airframe fatigue from wind gusts during low level flight. In Aeronautics, canard ( French for Duck) is an airframe configuration of Fixed-wing aircraft in which the Tailplane is ahead of the In one test, the aircraft flew 10 knots (11. 5 mph, 18. 5 km/h) faster than the never exceed speed without damage because the canards eliminated 30% of vertical and 50% of horizontal vibrations caused by wind gusts. In Aviation, V-speeds or Velocity-speeds are standard terms used to define Airspeeds important or useful to the operation of Aircraft, such [70][71]
B-52F
In the B-52F, the aircraft was given J57-P-43W engines with a larger capacity water injection system and new alternators. [72] The aircraft had a problem with fuel leaks, which were eventually solved by service modifications Blue Band, Hard Shell, and QuickClip. [57]
B-52G on static display at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia.
B-52G on static display at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia. Langley Air Force Base is located three Nautical miles (6 km) north of the Central business district of the city of Hampton, Virginia Hampton is an Independent city in Virginia, and therefore not part of any Virginia county
B-52G 
The B-52G was proposed to extend the B-52's service life during delays in the B-58 Hustler program. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout At first, a radical redesign was envisioned with a completely new wing and Pratt & Whitney J75 engines. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout This was rejected to avoid slowdowns in production, although changes were implemented. The most significant of these was the brand new "wet" wing with integral fuel tanks which considerably increased the fuel capacity — gross aircraft weight went up by 38,000 pounds (17,235 kg) compared with prior variants. In addition, a pair of 700 US gallons (2,650 L) external fuel tanks was fitted under the wings. The wing also had the traditional ailerons eliminated, instead utilizing spoilers for roll control. For the band with a similar name see The Ailerons Ailerons are hinged control surfaces attached to the Trailing edge of the Wing of a Fixed-wing In Aeronautics a spoiler (sometimes called a lift dumper) is a device intended to reduce lift in an aircraft The tail fin was shortened by 8 feet (2. 4 m), water injection system capacity was increased to 1,200 US gallons (4,540 L), and the nose radome was enlarged. The tail gunner was provided with an ejection seat and moved to the main cockpit. Dubbed the "Battle Station" concept, the offensive crew (pilot, copilot, and the two bombing navigation system operators on the lower deck) faced forward, while the defensive crew (gunner and ECM operator) on the upper deck faced aft. The B-52G entered service 13 February 1959 (a day earlier, the last B-36 was retired, making SAC an all-jet bomber force). Events 1258 - Baghdad falls to the Mongols, and the Abbasid Caliphate is destroyed The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Nearly all B-52Gs were destroyed in compliance with the Strategic Ams Reduction Treaty START I of 1992. START (for St rategic A rms R eduction T reaty is a Treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet A few examples remain in museums and as static displays at various air force bases. [73]
Lower deck of the B-52 dubbed the battle station.
Lower deck of the B-52 dubbed the battle station.
B-52H modified to carry two D-21 drones.
B-52H modified to carry two D-21 drones. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout
B-52H 
The B-52H had the same crew and structural changes as the B-52G. The most significant upgrade was the switch to TF33-P-3 turbofan engines which, despite the initial reliability problems (corrected by 1964 under the Hot Fan program), offered considerably better performance and fuel economy than the J57 turbojets. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout A turbofan is a type of Jet engine, similar to a Turbojet. It essentially consists of a Ducted fan with a smaller diameter turbojet engine TurboJET (噴射飛航 is the brand name for the operations of the Hong Kong -based Shun Tak-China Travel Ship Management Limited (信德中旅船務管理有限公司 The ECM and avionics were updated, a new fire control system was fitted, and the rear defensive armament was changed from machine guns to a 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon. The M61 Vulcan is a 20 mm Hydraulically or Pneumatically driven six- barreled air-cooled A provision was made for four AGM-48 Skybolt ballistic missiles. The Douglas GAM-87A Skybolt was an air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM developed during the late 1950s A ballistic missile is a Missile that follows a Sub-orbital ballistic flightpath with the objective of delivering a warhead to a predetermined target First flight 10 July 1960, entered service 9 May 1961. Events 48 BC - Battle of Dyrrhachium, Julius Caesar barely avoids a catastrophic defeat to Pompey in Macedonia. Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1457 BC - Battle of Megiddo (15th century BC between Thutmose III and a large Canaanite coalition under the King of Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. This is the only variant still operational. [74]

A total of 744 B-52s were built. The last production aircraft, B-52H number 61-0040, left the factory on 26 October 1962. Events 740 - An Earthquake strikes Constantinople, causing much damage and death Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. [75]

EB-52H 
A proposed variant of the B-52H that would modify 16 planes for electronic jamming capabilities. It would give the USAF an airborne jamming capability that it has lacked since retiring the EF-111 Raven. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The program's future remains uncertain as the DoD wants to cut back on the fleet of B-52's[76].

Popular culture

The B-52 has featured in a number of major films and other media:

Specifications (B-52H)

Orthographically projected diagram of the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress.
B-52H
Boeing B-52H static display with weapons, Barksdale AFB 2006
Boeing B-52H static display with weapons, Barksdale AFB 2006

Data from Quest for Performance[3][77]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

Avionics electro-optical viewing system that uses platinum silicide forward-looking infrared and high resolution low-light-level television sensors [80]

See also

Related development

Comparable aircraft

Related lists

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b Mehuron 2007, p. The B-52 crash at Fairchild Air Force Base was a fatal air crash that occurred on June 24 1994 killing the four crew members of a United States Air Force (USAF B-52 WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout List of bomber aircraft is organized by grouped years countries and Bomber Aircraft type This list of military aircraft of the United States includes prototype pre-production and operational types * List of active United States military aircraft This is a list of currently-active Military aircraft in use by the United States 62.
  2. ^ a b Knaack, 1988, p. 291.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Knaack 1988
  4. ^ a b c B-52 Stratofortress Retrieved: 2 October 2007. Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  5. ^ The Boeing Logbook: 1952 - 1956 15 April 1952. Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
  6. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 206–207.
  7. ^ a b Knaack 1988, p. 207.
  8. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 207-208.
  9. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 208.
  10. ^ a b c Knaack 1988, p. 209.
  11. ^ a b Knaack 1988, p. 210.
  12. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 210–211.
  13. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 212.
  14. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 214–215.
  15. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 215.
  16. ^ Global Security: B-52D
  17. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 217–218.
  18. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 218.
  19. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 217–219.
  20. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 219.
  21. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 221.
  22. ^ Cooke 1956, p. 24- 28.
  23. ^ a b c d Donald 1997, p. 161-162. Note: Ground tests and checkouts carried out on 29 November 1951 resulted in the XB-52's pneumatic system's failure during a full-pressure test with the resulting explosion severely damaging the wing trailing edge. Events 1777 - San Jose California, is founded as el Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe Year 1951 ( MCMLI) was a Common year starting on Monday. Events of 1951 January The prototype was returned to the production hall for repairs.
  24. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 222.
  25. ^ Vectorsite: B-52 Evolution. Retrieved: 6 October 2007. Events 105 BC - Battle of Arausio: The Cimbri inflict the heaviest defeat on the Roman army of Gnaeus Mallius Maximus Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  26. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 227. "Designing the B-29 had required 153,000 engineering hours; the B-52, 3,000,000. "
  27. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 229.
  28. ^ a b Knaack 1988 p. 230.
  29. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 229–230.
  30. ^ Wordorigins.org "BUF" Note: "Fellow" is substituted for "Fucker" in bowlderized versions of the acronym.
  31. ^ Flynn 1997, p. 138.
  32. ^ a b c d e Baugher, Joe. Boeing RB-52B/B-52B Stratofortress. Retrieved: 10 October 2007. Events 680 - Battle of Karbala: Shia Imam Husayn bin Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, is decapitated Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  33. ^ Global Security: B-52B
  34. ^ a b c Baugher, Joe. Service of Boeing B-52D Stratofortress. Retrieved: 12 October 2007
  35. ^ Baugher, Joe. Events 539 BC - The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Origin of the B-52. Retrieved: 09 October 2007. Events 768 - Carloman I and Charlemagne are crowned Kings of The Franks. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  36. ^ Baugher, Joe. Service of Boeing B-52F Stratofortress. Retrieved: 12 October 2007. Events 539 BC - The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  37. ^ a b Dick and Patterson 2006, p. 161.
  38. ^ Knaack, 1988, p. 256.
  39. ^ B-52 D. globalsecurity. org. Retrieved:16 October 2007. Events 456 - Magister militum Ricimer defeats the Emperor Avitus at Piacenza and becomes master of the western Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  40. ^ Dick and Patterson 2006, p. 187.
  41. ^ Budiansky 2004, p. 394.
  42. ^ Mac’s Facts no. 46 (B52 Combat Losses/Operational Losses in Vietnam). www. nampows. org. Retrieved: 16 October 2007. Events 456 - Magister militum Ricimer defeats the Emperor Avitus at Piacenza and becomes master of the western Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  43. ^ Dick and Patterson 2006, p. 165.
  44. ^ Futrell 1976
  45. ^ "SAC AIRBORNE ALERT". National Museum of the USAF. Retrieved:2 October 2007. Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  46. ^ US Nuclear Weapons Deployments Disclosed, Nautilus Institute History of the Custody and Deployment of Nuclear Weapons: July 1945 to September 1977
  47. ^ "Spain, U.S. Agree to Radioactivity Cleanup 40 Years After Atomic Accident." FOXNews. com 8 October 2006. Events 314 - Roman Emperor Licinius is defeated by his colleague Constantine I at the Battle of Cibalae, and loses Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Retrieved: 23 September 2007. Events 1122 - Concordat of Worms. 1459 - Battle of Blore Heath, the first major battle of the English Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  48. ^ "Butterknife V Thule Route."
  49. ^ NASA's B-52B Retires
  50. ^ a b Arana-Barradas, Louis A. 'BUFF' and Tough—the B-52 bomber has been a valuable and effective member of the Air Force since 1955. Airman, June, 2001. Retrieved: 16 October 2007. Events 456 - Magister militum Ricimer defeats the Emperor Avitus at Piacenza and becomes master of the western Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  51. ^ Baugher, Joe. Service of Boeing B-52G Stratofortress. Retrieved: 12 October 2007. Events 539 BC - The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  52. ^ Dick and Patterson 2006, p. 225.
  53. ^ Dick and Patterson 2006, p. 222.
  54. ^ Dick and Patterson 2006, p. 242.
  55. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 252–254.
  56. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 277–278.
  57. ^ a b Knaack 1988, p. 266–267.
  58. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 279–280.
  59. ^ Knaack 1988, p. 254–255.
  60. ^ a b Knaack 1988, p. 276–277.
  61. ^ a b c Zamorano, Marti, "B-52 synthetic fuel testing: Center commander pilots first Air Force B-52 flight using solely synthetic fuel blend in all eight engines", Aerotech News and Review, 22 December 2006
  62. ^ a b Hernandez, Jason, "SECAF certifies synthetic fuel blends for B-52H", Aerotech News and Review, 10 August 2007. Events 1790 - The Turkish fortress of Izmail is stormed and captured by Suvorov and his Russian armies Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 612 BC - Killing of Sinsharishkun, King of Assyrian Empire Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  63. ^ B-52 Factsheet
  64. ^ B-52 Stratofortress Upgrades, globalsecurity. org. Retrieved: 16 October 2007. Events 456 - Magister militum Ricimer defeats the Emperor Avitus at Piacenza and becomes master of the western Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  65. ^ Defense Science Board Task Force on B-52H Re-Engining. Retrieved: 1 August 2007. Events 30 BC - Octavian (later known as Augustus enters Alexandria, Egypt, bringing it under the control of the Roman Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  66. ^ a b Baugher, Joe. Boeing B-52A Stratofortress. Retrieved: 10 October 2007. Events 680 - Battle of Karbala: Shia Imam Husayn bin Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, is decapitated Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Note: The electronic warfare officer sat behind the pilot facing to the rear.
  67. ^ NASA "Balls 8". B-52B "Mothership" Launch Aircraft Retrieved: 2 October 2007. Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  68. ^ a b Baugher, Joe. Boeing B-52C Stratofortress. Retrieved: 11 October 2007. Events 1138 - A massive earthquake struck Aleppo, Syria. 1531 - Huldrych Zwingli is killed Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  69. ^ Baugher, Joe. Boeing B-52D Stratofortress. Retrieved: 12 October 2007. Events 539 BC - The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  70. ^ a b Baugher, Joe. Boeing B-52E Stratofortress. Retrieved: 12 October 2007. Events 539 BC - The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  71. ^ NASA Flight Data
  72. ^ Baugher, Joe. Boeing B-52F Stratofortress. Retrieved: 12 October 2007. Events 539 BC - The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  73. ^ Baugher, Joe. Boeing B-52G Stratofortress. Retrieved: 12 October 2007. Events 539 BC - The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  74. ^ a b Baugher, Joe. Boeing B-52H Stratofortress. Retrieved: 12 October 2007. Events 539 BC - The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  75. ^ Baugher, Joe. Service of Boeing B-52H Stratofortress. Retrieved: 12 October 2007. Events 539 BC - The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  76. ^ http://proxify.org/p/011010A1000100/687474703a2f2f7777772e646566656e7365746563682e6f72672f61726368697665732f3030313930392e68746d6c Jamming with the B-52s
  77. ^ Loftin, LK, Jr. Quest for performance: The evolution of modern aircraft. NASA SP-468. [1] Retrieved: 22 April 2006. Events 1500 - Portuguese Navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral becomes the first European to sight Brazil. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
  78. ^ a b c Air Force Fact Sheet
  79. ^ now decommissioned and removed from all operational aircraft
  80. ^ to augment targeting, battle assessment, and flight safety. This improves its combat ability and low-level flight capability B-52 Electro Optical Viewing

Bibliography

All websites re-accessed: 29 November 2007. Events 1777 - San Jose California, is founded as el Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

External links

All sites accessed: 29 November 2007. Events 1777 - San Jose California, is founded as el Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

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