Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

1954

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Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

Most post-World War II bombers evolved from military requirements issued in the early or mid-forties, but none were produced as initially envisioned. Geopolitical factors accounted for the programs; the military threat, varying in degrees of intensity through the years, never ceased to exist. While these factors justified the development of new weapons, technology dictated their eventual configurations. Strategic concepts fell in between, influenced by circumstances as well as the state-of-the-art. Thus the B-36, earmarked in 1941 as a long-range bomber, capable of bearing heavy loads of conventional bombs, matured as the first long-range atomic carrier. The impact of technology was far more spectacular in the case of the B-52, affecting the development of one of history's most successful weapon systems, and the concepts which spelled the long-lasting bomber's many forms of employment.

As called for in 1945, the B-52 was to have an operating radius of 4,340 nautical miles, a speed of 260 knots at altitude of 43,000 feet, and a bombload capacity of 10,000 pounds. Although jet propulsion had already been adopted for the smaller B-45 and B-47 then under development, the high fuel consumption associated with jet engines ruled against their use in long-range aircraft. But what was true in 1945, no longer applied several years later. After floundering through a series of changing requirements and revised studies, the B-52 project became active in 1948. Air Force officials decided that progress in the development of turbojets should make it possible to equip the new long-range bomber with such engines. The decision, however, was not unanimous. Money was short, B-52 substitutes were proposed, and it took the deteriorating international situation caused by the Korean conflict to ensure production of the jet-powered B-52-the initial procurement contract being signed in February 1951.

While technological improvements received top priority when new weapons were designed, untried technology was a tricky business. Hovering over the B-52 weapon system was the specter of the B-47's initial deficiencies. As a result, the B-52 was designed, built, and developed as an integrated package. Components and parts were thoroughly tested before being installed in the new bomber. Changes were integrated on the production lines, giving birth to new models in the series, a fairly common occurrence. Yet, in contrast to the usual pattern, B-52 testing only suggested improvements, and at no time uncovered serious flaws in any of the aircraft. In fact, Maj. Gen. Albert Boyd, Commander of the Wright Air Development Center, and one of the Air Force's foremost test pilots, said that the B-52's first true production model was the finest airplane yet built.

Initially flown in December 1954, the B-52's performance was truly impressive. The new bomber could reach a speed of 546 knots, twice more than called for in 1945, and could carry a load of 43,000 pounds, an increase of about 30,000 pounds. Still, most of the early B-52s were phased out by 1970, due to Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara's mid-sixties decision to decrease the strategic bomber force. However, the later B-52G and H-models, and even some of the earlier B-52Ds, were expected to see unrestricted service into the 1980s.

By mid-1973, the B-52s had already compiled impressive records. Many of the aircraft had played important roles during the Vietnam War. Modified B-52Ds, referred to as Big Belly, dropped aerial mines in the North Vietnamese harbors and river inlets in May 1972. In December of the same year, B-52Ds and B-52Gs began to bomb military targets in the Hanoi and Haiphong areas of North Vietnam, where they encountered the most awesome defenses. Although the B-52s were often used for purposes they had not been intended to fulfill, after decades of hard work they remained one of the Strategic Air Command's best assets.

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

Specification 
 CREW6
 ENGINE8 x turbo-jet P+W TF-33-P-3, 75.7kN
 WEIGHTS
  Take-off weight221350-226000 kg487996 - 498247 lb
  Empty weight111350 kg245486 lb
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan56.4 m185 ft 0 in
  Length47.6 m156 ft 2 in
  Height12.4 m41 ft 8 in
  Wing area371.6 m23999.87 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
  Max. speed1070 km/h665 mph
  Cruise speed900 km/h559 mph
  Ceiling18300 m60050 ft
  Range w/max.fuel16000 km9942 miles
  Range w/max payload11800 km7332 miles
 ARMAMENT4 x 20mm machine-guns, 34000kg of bombs and missiles

3-View 
Boeing B-52 StratofortressA three-view drawing (1000 x 592)

Comments1-20 21-40 41-60 61-80 81-100 101-120 121-140 141-160 161-180
Admin, 19.06.2007 20:07

I don't criticize vets unless they tell other people how proud they were of killing "those barbarians", "those communists", "those people who didn't like the american way of life" etc.

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Webmaster, e-mail, 18.06.2007 21:00

"Cha Na Na, Tick Tick, Click Clack, Walla walla boom boom"
which means
"You should not criticize a vet for doing service to his nation, no matter what you believe about the usefulness of warfare"
... or it can also be translated as:
"what's up with the anti-US and anti-Isreal rhetoric?"

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Admin, 01.05.2007 00:37

Thank you very much for your comments.
You did a marvelous flying career.
But remember how many civilians were killed by those "awesome aircraft" in Vietnam.
O, yes, I forgot, those thousands women and children would deprive the free world of its freedom...

It is interesting that not too much people remember that the US and their "client state" of South Vietnam denied the right of the people for free elections in 1950s. If those elections had ever took place they for sure would have been won by communists. So the Americans did the same for people of South Vietnam as did the Soviets for Eastern Europe - they presented them an unpopular puppet regime.

"Quod licet Jovi, non licet bovi"
what means
"Only the US and Israel are allowed to bomb anybody they want" ;)

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Joseph H. Peek, e-mail, 30.04.2007 07:40

These awesome aircraft were the last of the giant bombers flown from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base while I was still living in Tucson, AZ. I later saw them down in Florida when I flew with Eastern Air Lines in and out of Orlando, FL. The engine designations were those of Pratt & Whitney as they applied to a Turbo-Fan model with modifications. Simplly put, these beasts did some damage in their various combat missions against the Communist regime and those who would deprive the free world of its freedom. Call me 404-325-4866 in GA.

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sara, e-mail, 10.04.2007 19:02

I want to comment on the engine. What on earth does that mean? "8 x turbo-jet P+W TF-33-P-3, 75.7kN". I'm doing a report on this aircraft, and I can't understand what the engine is.

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