B-52H Stratofortress: Cadillac of the United States Air Force

Known as Americas "Big Stick" the B-52 Stratofortress is the longest-serving front line combat aircraft in history. Its first flight was on April 15, 1952 and since entering service it has been flying operationally for more than 50 years. Its primary role for decades was as a strategic nuclear bomber during the cold war, but other than being on atomic alert the B-52 never deployed its devastating payload of hydrogen nuclear bombs. While the aircraft was a significant nuclear deterrent it only saw action during the extensive conventional bombing campaigns in Southeast Asia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

One of the most notable missions it has flow was the non-stop 35 hour bombing mission on the first night of the gulf war. B-52Gs took off from a Louisiana AFB, deployed cruise missiles from Saudi airspace hitting key military targets in Iraq, before flying all the way back to home base. The B-52s exceptional range and air to air refueling capability was utilized to achieve this raid which was the longest in history. The engines and avionics have been significantly upgraded in recent years, which have extended the aircrafts service life for the coming decades.

The B-52H is operated by 5 crew members consisting of two pilots, an electronic warfare officer, one navigator, and a bombardier. Boeing built 744 B-52's between 1952 and 1962 with each aircraft containing 90km (56mi) of electrical wiring. The aircrafts eight 17,014-lb thrust Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3 turbofans and 185ft wing span allow it to lift off at its fully loaded weight of 504,860 lbs. The latest B-52H variant can carry a wide variety of weapons including 20 nuclear or conventional cruise missiles, or up to 81 free-fall bombs and anti-ship missiles.

Another notable aircraft feature is the radar directed 20-mm M61A1 tail cannon operated remotely from the cockpit by the electronic warfare officer. The Stratofortress also employs a bicycle type landing gear which greatly assists the pilots during crosswind landings by slewing the fuselage down the runway. The aircraft can perform very high or very low-level under the radar missions and high explosive or cluster bombs can be mounted externally on the wing pylons, further adding to its payload and capabilities.

The B-52 Stratofortress is one of the most versatile and admired aircraft in United States Air Force service and has proven itself time and again over the years. Not only has it performed exemplary in service but it continues to remain operational as a key part of the American bomber fleet. Its ability to efficiently deliver it devastating payload to any target in the world within 18 hours gives the aircraft a truly global reach. The B-52 is expected to remain in service for years to come and continue its very important role as a global deterrent to terrorism and nuclear threat.

By Don Farley