Warplanes of the USA: Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

(USAF Photo)

A U.S. Air Force Boeing B-52F-70-BW Stratofortress (s/n 57-0162, nicknamed "Casper The Friendly Ghost") from the 320th Bomb Wing dropping Mk 117 750 lb (340 kg) bombs over Vietnam. This aircraft was the first B-52F used to test conventional bombing in 1964, and later dropped the 50,000th bomb of the "Arc Light" campaign. B-52Fs could carry 51 bombs and served in Vietnam from June 1965 to April 1966 when they were replaced by "Big Belly" B-52Ds which could carry 108 bombs.

(USAF Photo)

North American X-15 attached to its Boeing NB-52B mother ship with a Northrop T-38 Talon flying nearby. Three X-15s were built, flying 199 test flights, the last on 24 October 1968. NB-52B – 52-008 was nicknamed The Challenger, later Balls 8 (retired in November 2004).

(Senior Master Sgt. Mahmoud Rasouliyan, USAF Photo)

A B-52 Stratofortress takes off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to participate in an exercise scenario Aug. 22. The aircraft, aircrew and maintainers are deployed from Barksdale AFB, La., as part of the continuous bomber presence in the Pacific region. During their deployment to Guam, the bomber squadron's participation in exercises will emphasize the U.S. bomber presence, demonstrating U.S. commitment to the Pacific region.

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is an American long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, which has continued to provide support and upgrades. It has been operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) since the 1950s, and NASA for nearly 50 years. The bomber can carry up to 70,000 pounds (32,000 kg) of weapons and has a typical combat range of around 8,800 miles (14,200km) without aerial refueling.

Beginning with the successful contract bid in June 1946, the B-52 designevolved from a straight wing aircraft powered by six turboprop engines to thefinal prototype YB-52 with eight turbojet engines and swept wings. The B-52took its maiden flight in April 1952. The B-52 has been in service with theUSAF since 1955, and NASA from 1959 to 2007. Built to carry nuclear weapons forCold War–era deterrence missions, the B-52 Stratofortress replaced the ConvairB-36 Peacemaker.

Superior performance at high subsonic speeds and relatively low operating costshave kept them in service despite the development of more advanced strategicbombers, such as the Mach 2+ Convair B-58 Hustler, the canceled Mach 3 NorthAmerican XB-70 Valkyrie, the variable-geometry Rockwell B-1 Lancer, and thestealth Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit. A veteran of several wars, the B-52 hasdropped only conventional munitions in combat.

The B-52's official name Stratofortress is rarely used; informally, theaircraft has become commonly referred to as the BUFF (Big Ugly FatFucker/Fella). There are 76 aircraft in inventory as of 2024; 58 operated byactive forces (2nd Bomb Wing and 5th Bomb Wing), 18 by reserve forces (307thBomb Wing), and about 12 in long-term storage at the Davis-Monthan AFBBoneyard. The bombers flew under the Strategic Air Command (SAC) until it wasdisestablished in 1992 and its aircraft absorbed into the Air Combat Command(ACC); in 2010, all B-52 Stratofortresses were transferred from the ACC to thenew Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). The B-52 completed 60 years ofcontinuous service with its original operator in 2015. After being upgradedbetween 2013 and 2015, the last airplanes are expected to serve into the 2050s. (Wikipedia)

(AF GlobalStrike Photo)

First flight of the Boeing YB-52 Stratofortress, 15 April 1952.

(USGOV-PD Photo)

Boeing XB-52 in flight, c1952.

(USAF Photo)

XB-52 bomber on flightline; with a Northrop X-4 in the foreground and a Convair B-36 in the background.

(USAF Photo)

Boeing YB-52 in flight.

(NMUSAF Photo)

Boeing B-52A (Serial No. 52-001) in flight. Note the external fuel tanks have been removed.

(USGOV-PD Photo)

Boeing NB-52A.

(USAF Photo)

Boeing NB-52A (Serial No. 52-003) permanent test variant, carrying North American Aviation's legendary X-15, and mission markings. Horizontal X-15 silhouettes indicating glide flights, near-vertical ones recording powered ones.

(USGOV-PD Photo)

Boeing NB-52A (SN 56-6670), with X-15 No. 1.

(USAF Photo)

Boeing NB-52A releasing an X-15.

(USAF Photo)

Boeing NB-52A launch aircraft at Edwards AFB.

(NASA Photo, Tom Tschida)

NB-52A Stratofortress carrying an experimental UAV Boeing X-43.

(NASA Photo, Tony Landis)

B-52B mothership, NASA's venerable workhorse, rolls out on the Edwards AFB runway after a test flight in 1996. Over the course of more than 40 years, the B-52 launched numerous experimental aircraft, ranging from the X-15 to the X-38, and was also used as a flying testbed for a variety of other research projects.

(Alan Radecki Photo)

NASA's NB-52B Balls 8 (lower) and its replacement B-52H on the flight line at Edwards Air Force Base in 2004.

(USAF Photo)

Boeing B-52Bs. Three closest aircraft with visible tail numbers are B-52B-35-BO (S/N 53-0396), RB-52B-30-BO (S/N 53-0377) and B-52B-35-BO (S/N 53-0391).

(USAF Photo)

Boeing B-52C.

(USAF Photo)

Boeing B-52D.

(USGOV-PD Photo)

Boeing B-52D-1-BW (Serial No. 55-0049)

(USAF Photo)

Boeing B-52D-40-BW (SN 56-0695) in flight launching Quail decoy.

(USGOV-PD Photo)

Boeing B-52D-70-BO (Serial No. 56-0582) is refueled by Boeing KC-135A-BN (Serial No. 55-3127).

(USGOV-PD Photo)

Boeing B-52D-40-BW (Serial No. 56-0695) with anti-flash white on the underside, and GAM-72 Quail decoy missile and trailer.

(USGOV-PD Photo)

Boeing B-52D-80-BO (Serial No. 56-0620).

(USGOV-PD Photo)

Boeing B-52D-75-BO (Serial No. 56-0591) Tommys Tigator.

(USAF Photo)

Boeing B-52D-30-BW (Serial No. 56-0660) deploying its drag chute, 5 April 1966.

(USAF Photo)

Boeing B-52D-60-BO Stratofortress (s/n 55-0104) of the 484th Bomb Wing, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, on 20 March 1966.

(USGOV-PD Photo)

Boeing B-52D-55-BO (Serial No. 55-0068). Note the B-52Hs in the background.

(AF Global Strike Photo)

Boeing B-52D Stratofortress with Kaydet trainer, Wichita, Kansas.

(USAF Photo)

Boeing B-52E.

(USGOV-PD Photo)

Boeing B-52E-85-BO (Serial No. 56-0635) is refueled by Boeing KC-135A (Serial No. 57-1467).

(USGOV-PD Photo)

Boeing JB-52E (Serial No. 57-0119) in flight. This aircraft was used to test the General Electric TF39-GE-1C turbofan to be used in the new C-5A Galaxy. The test engine was located on the right inboard pylon and replaced the twin Pratt & Whitney J57 engines normally in that location. The single TF39 had about twice the thrust of the twin J57s it replaced.

(USGOV-PD Photo)

Boeing NB-52E during the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory-Boeing Control Configured Vehicles program.

(USGOV-PD Photo)

Boeing B-52F takeoff with AGM-28 Hound Dog missiles, 1960.

(USGOV-PD Photo)

Boeing B-52F-65-BW (Serial No. 57-0153).

(USAF Photo)

Boeing B-52G. During Desert Storm, B-52s delivered 40 percent of all the weapons dropped by coalition forces. It is highly effective when used for ocean surveillance, and can assist the U.S. Navy in anti-ship and mine-laying operations. Two B-52s, in two hours, can monitor 140,000 square miles of ocean surface.

(NMUSAF Photo)

Boeing B-52G.

(NMUSAF Photo)

Boeing B-52G.

(USAF Photo, Senior Airman Sarah E. Shaw)

The high aspect ratio wing of a United States Air Force B-52H Stratofortress from the 96th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana., deployed to the 2nd Air Expeditionary Group, Naval Station Diego Garcia, British Indian Island Territory, drops away after air refueling.

(USGOV-PD Photo)

B-52H dropping a JDAM test bomb.

(Mike Freer - Touchdown aviation Photo)

Of the 410th Bomb Wing based at K.I.Sawyer AFB, Michigan, seen arriving for the joint USAF/RAF bombing competition, 5 June 1979.

(aeroprints Photo)

Boeing B-52H At RAF Fairford, UK.

(Mike Freer - Touchdown-aviation Photo)

Boeing B-52H Stratofortress (Serial No. 60-0058), 5th Bomb Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota, 1 July 1995.

(Robert Frola Photos)

Boeing B-52H Stratofortress (Serial No. 61-0001), cn 464428 of the 5th Bomb Wing based at Minot AFB, North Dakota, 1 March 2011.

(USAF Photo, Senior Airman Keifer Bowes)

Boeing B-52H Stratofortress prepares to join with Qatar Emiri Air Force Mirage 2000s and U.S. F-35A Lightning IIs to fly in formation over Southwest Asia, May 21, 2019. This flight was conducted to continue building military-to-military relationships with the QEAF. The B-52H is part of the Bomber Task Force deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to defend U.S. forces and interests in the region.

(USAF Photo, Tech. Sgt. Robert J. Horstman)

Boeing B-52H Stratofortress of the 2nd Bomb Wing static display with weapons, at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, in 2006.

(USAF Photo)

B-52H Stratofortress is prepared for take off on the runway at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, 6 April 2004. Four B-52s arrived there from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to escape Typhoon Sudal which missed the island 7 April 2004. The B-52s were deployed to Andersen from Minot AFB, North Dakota.

(Peter Rimar Photo)

B-52H on the flightline at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, July 2005.

(Balon Greyjoy Photo)

A B-52H-175-BW(61-0036) Stratofortress taking off from Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.

(USAF Photo, TSgt Fernando Serna)

Two Tu-95 Bear-H bomber aircraft, center, and an AN-124 Condor transport aircraft of the Russian military, background, are parked on the flight line beside a B-52H Stratofortress aircraft of the 62nd Bombardment Squadron. The Russian planes are on base as part of an exchange program proposed by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Merrill A. McPeak, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, 1 May 1992.

(USAF Photo, Senior Master Sgt. John Rohrer)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Larry Littrell prepares to land a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft as he surpasses his 5,000-hour mark at an undisclosed location April 4, 2006. Littrell was assigned to the 40th Air Expeditionary Group.
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Preserved Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers

United States
NB-52A

(aeroprints.com Photo)

(aceebee Photo)

(Clemens Vasters Photo)

(Author Photo)
52-0003 - Pima Air & Space Museum adjacent to Davis-Monthan Air Force Basein Tucson, Arizona. It is a converted B-52A that was used by the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, California as the X-15 Launch Aircraft; now on display and marked as 0003 The High and the Mighty One.
B-52B

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(Author Photos)

(Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum Photo)
52-0005 - under restoration at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum(former Lowry AFB), Denver, Colorado. It is marked as "005 “ and was accepted on 3 March 1955. It was operated by the 6515th Maintenance Group (AirResearch & Development Command) at Edwards AFB, 93rd BW / 330th BS atCastle AFB, 3415th MSG (ATC) at Lowry AFB, then redesignated as a GB-52Btraining airframe at the Lowry Technical Training Center, withdrawn fromservice April 1982. C/N 16495.
NB-52B

(calgriz Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photos)
52-0008 - Edwards AFB Museum, California. C/N 16498. It is marked as "0008",originally a B-52B then modified as an RB-52B then NB-52B. Assigned to NASA asBalls 8 for use as a mothership for the X-15, X-38, and X-43A, withdrawn fromservice on 17 December 2004.
RB-52B

(Author Photo)

(kameniev Photo)
52-0013 - Heritage Park at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History adjacent to Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico. One of the few B-52s to have actually dropped the 3.75 megaton Mark 15 thermo-nuclear bomb over Bikini Atoll on 21 May 1956, while flying with the Air Research and Development Command, when it took part in Operation Dominicin 1962. C/N 16503.

(Ted Quackenbush Photo, 1976)

(Eric Friedebach Photo)
52-8711 - Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska. C/N 16839. It was originally a B-52B and was the first operational B-52 delivered to the Air Force, entering service with the 93d Bombardment Wing on 29 June 1955. It was dropped from inventory on 29 September 1965 and transferred to the Strategic Air & Space Museum.
53-0379 - Although not preserved as such, the aircraft sits on the edge of Rogers Dry Lake south of Edwards Air Force Base, California. It was used for barrier testing until 1970 and has been located on the photo range for some time.

(Peter Rimar Photo)
55-0068 - USAF History & Traditions Museum, Lackland AFB, Texas.

(Author Photos)

(Greg Goebel Photos)

(Team gEco Friendly Photo)
55-0083 - US Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. C/N 17199, “Diamond Lil”,  black and camouflage colours.  This aircraft was in service from Oct 1956 until Oct 1983.
B-52D
55-0057 - Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. It was operated by the 306th BW at McCoy AFB, Florida and the 7th BW at Carswell AFB, Texas. C/N 464009.*

(Steven Fine Photo)
55-0062 - K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum on the former K.I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan. It was accepted by the USAF in February 1957.

(Author Photo)

(aeroprints.com Photo)

(Josh Hallett Photo)
55-0067 - Pima Air & Space Museum, adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson,Arizona. It is marked as "067 The Lone Star Lady" and was operated bythe 7th BW at Carswell AFB and withdrawn from service on 5 November 1982.

(Jud McCrainie Photo)
55-0085 at the Museum of Aviation, Warner Robins, Georgia.

(Rob Bixby Photo)

(Adrian Brooks Photo)
55-0071 - Battleship Memorial Park, Mobile, Alabama. C/N 17187, “Calamity Jane”.

(Alan Wilson Photos)
55-0085 - Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB, Warner Robins, Georgia. It wasoperated by the 99th BW at Andersen AFB, Guam and the 7th BW at Carswell AFB, Texas.

(Eric Friedebach Photo)

(Danny Chapman Photos)
55-0094 - Kansas Aviation Museum, Wichita, Kansas. It was accepted by the USAF on 30 April 1957 and participated in Arclight. C/N 17210.

(Hector Vazquez Photo)
55-0095 - Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum, Titusville, Florida. C/N 17211, forward crew compartment.  This aircraft was previously on display at Rantoul, Illinois.

(Mark Knapp Photo)

(Dmitry Avdeev Photo)
55-0677 - Yankee Air Museum, Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, Michigan. It ismarked as "677" and was operated by the 43rd BW at Andersen AFB, Guamand participated in Linebacker II as part of the 96th BW at Dyess AFB, Texas. C/N 464024.

(Curimedia Photo)

(Steve Riggins Photo)
55-0679 - March Field Air Museum, March Air Reserve Base (former March AFB) in Riverside, California. C/N 464026. It is marked as "679" and was accepted by the USAF on 5 June 1957 and operated by the 92nd BW at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota;494th BW at Sheppard AFB, Texas; 509th BW at Pease AFB, New Hampshire and Andersen AFB, Guam; 454th BW at March AFB, California; 22nd BW at Andersen AFB,Guam; 99th BW at Andersen AFB and U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand;, 43rd SW at U-Tapao RTAFB;, 7th BW at Carswell AFB, Texas; 99th BW at Andersen AFB and U-Tapao;22nd BW at March AFB; 43rd SW at Andersen AFB and participated in LinebackerII;, 7th BW at Carswell AFB; 22nd BW at March AFB, 175 combat missions, became a training airframe as a GB-52D and withdrawn from service in 1992.

(AV Photo)

56-0585- Air Force Flight Test Museum, Air Park display, Rosamond, Edwards Air Force Base, California. C/N 17268.

(USAF Photo)
56-0586 - Arc Light Memorial, Andersen AFB, Guam.

(USAF Photos)

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56-0589 - Sheppard AFB Air Park, Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, Texas. GB-52D.

(Nehrams2020 Photo)
56-0612 - Castle Air Museum at the former Castle AFB, Atwater, California.

(Michael Barera Photo)

(Martin McGuire Photo)
56-0629 - Barksdale Global Power Museum, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. It is markedas "0629" and was accepted by the USAF in October 1957 and wasoperated by the 4258SW at U-Tapao.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(Robert Dilley Photos)
56-0657 - South Dakota Air and Space Museum, Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, South Dakota. C/N 464028.

(NMUSAF Photo)

(Martin McGuire Photo)
56-0665 - National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio. C/N 464036. n June 1965, B-52s entered combat in Southeast Asia.  By August 1973, they had flown 126,615 combat sorties with seventeen B-52s lost to enemy action.  The aircraft on display saw extensive service in Southeast Asia and was severely damaged by an enemy surface-to-air missile on 9 April 1972.  In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam.  Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing at Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas, this aircraft was flown to the Museum in November 1978.
56-0666 - Vertical stabilizer only. National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Savannah, Georgia.

(AV Photo)
56-0676 - Armed Forces & Aerospace Museum, Fairchild AFB, Washington. It operated in the Vietnam War and participated in Operation Linebacker II (aka Christmas Bombings), credited as a MiG Killer on 18 December 1972 when tailgunner SSgt Samuel O. Turner downed a MiG-21. Also based with the 96th BW at Dyess AFB, Texas.

(Hector Vazquez Photo)
56-0683 - Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.

(AV Photo)
56-0685 - Dyess Linear Air Park, Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas.

(F1295 Photo)
56-0687 - B-52 Memorial Park, Orlando International Airport (former McCoy AFB),Orlando, Florida. It was operated by the 96th BW at Dyess AFB, Texas.
56-0692 - Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
56-0695 - Charles B Hall Airpark, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
56-0696 - Travis AFB Heritage Center, Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield,California. It is marked as "Twilight D'Lite".
B-52E
57-0101 - forward fuselage displayed at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, Honolulu,Hawaii.
57-0119 - As with 53-0379, it is located on the Edwards Air Force Base, photorange, in destroyed condition. It was used in a variety of test roles, mostnotably as the carrier for the General Electric TF39 engine used on the C-5Galaxy. It was towed to its present location in 1980 and blown up in 1991 tosatisfy conditions of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.
B-52F
57-0038 - Joe Davies Heritage Airpark, Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale,California. This is the only preserved B-52F. It was on display at the OklahomaCity Fairgrounds from 1974 to 2006.
57-0042 - Only nose and cockpit section preserved. Under restoration to displayat Yanks Air Museum, Chino, California.
B-52G
57-6468 - Gate guard at Zorinsky Memorial Air Park, Offutt AFB, Bellevue, Nebraska.

(Michael Barera Photos)

(Martin McGuire Photo)
57-6509 - Barksdale Global Power Museum, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. It is marked as "6509 Nine O Nine II" and was operated by the 2nd BW at BarksdaleAFB and the 801st BW(P) at Moron AB, Spain during Operation Desert Storm.

(aeroprints.com Photo)

(Eric Salard Photo)
58-0183 - Pima Air & Space Museum adjacent to Davis-Monthan Air Force Basein Tucson, Arizona. It is marked as " 0183 Valkyrie " and was operated by the 2nd BW / 596th BS at Barksdale AFB, assigned in January 1991 to Operation Secret Squirrel, withdrawn from service in July 1991.

(Cory W. Watts Photo)
58-0185 - Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin AFB, Florida. It is marked as"0185 El Lobo II" and first assigned to the 4135th Strategic Wing, Strategic Air Command, Eglin AFB, September 1959; last assigned to the 2nd BombWing, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. C/N 464253.

(kjfishman Photo)

(Eric Salard Photo)
58-0191 - Hill Aerospace Museum at Hill AFB, Utah. It is marked as "0191Bearin' Arms" and was accepted into service on 16 October 1959 and operated by the 72nd BW at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico; 456th BW at Beale AFB,California and Andersen AFB, Guam; 17th BW at Andersen AFB, Guam and RobinsAFB, Georgia; 2nd BW at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana; 320th BW at Mather AFB,California; 97th BW at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas and Edwards AFB, California; 62nd BW at Fairchild AFB, Washington; 93rd BW at Castle AFB, California; 2nd BWat Barksdale AFB, 93rd BW at Castle AFB, then withdrawn from service in August 1991.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

58-0200 - Previously in use for ground instruction by the 82nd Training Wing here at Sheppard AFB, for which she was designated as a GB-52G. She is now on display near the main gate. Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, Texas.

(Martin McGuire Photo)

(Hector Vazquez Photo)
58-0225 - Mohawk Valley B-52 Memorial in Rome, New York. It is marked as"0225 Mohawk Valley" and was operated by the 416th Bomb Wing at theformer Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York. The aircraft was damaged byan EF2 tornado on 16 July 2024. C/N 464293, “Mohawk Valley”.

(Grand Forks AFB Photo)
59-2577 - Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. The 319th BW flew the B-52 from 1963 until 1986, when they transitioned to the Rockwell B-1B bomber.

(Tillamook Air Museum Photo)
59-2579 - forward fuselage displayed at Tillamook Air Museum, Tillamook, Oregon.

(Clemens Vasters Photos)
59-2584 - Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. C/N 464347.

(William Grimes Photo)
59-2601 - Tactical Air Command Memorial Park, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.

Australia
B-52G

(Bahnfrend Photo)
59-2596 - Darwin's Pride - Darwin Aviation Museum in Winnellie, Northern Territory.

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South Korea
B-52D

(Mammique Photo)
55-0105 - War Memorial of Korea, Seoul, was operated by the 4258 SW at U-TapaoRoyal Thai Navy Airfield in Thailand and the 96 BW at Dyess AFB, Texas.

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United Kingdom
B-52D

(Alan Wilson Photo)
56-0689 - Imperial War Museum Duxford, Duxford, England, was operated by the28th BW and 7th BW at Carswell AFB. The B-52D is located in the American AirMuseum building, alongside B-29A 44-61748 "It's Hawg Wild". B-52D56-0689 is one of the largest and heaviest aircraft to have ever landed at theairfield.

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