What Is The B-52 Stratofortress?
The B-52 Stratofortress. Heavy long-range strategic bomber operating continuously for the USAF since the 1950s across multiple conflicts.
United States
Origin
Strategic bomber
Role
Mach 0.86
Top speed
15,200 m
Service ceiling
B-52 Stratofortress Specifications
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a strategic heavy bomber serving the USAF since 1955. Powered by eight turbofan engines, it has an unrefuelled combat range that exceed 8,800 miles and can carry up to 70,000 lbs of mixed ordnance, including precision guided bombs and standoff missiles.
Performance
Top speed
650 mph (Mach 0.86)
Service ceiling
50,000 ft (15,200 m)
Combat radius
3,800 nmi (7,000 km)
Rate of climb
6,270 ft/min (31.8 m/s)
Airframe
Crew
5 (Pilot, Co-Pilot, Weapon Systems Officer, Navigator, Electronic Warfare Officer)
Length
159 ft 4 in (48.50 m)
Wingspan
185 ft 0 in (56.40 m)
Empty weight
185,000 lbs (83,250 kg)
Engine
8x Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3 turbofans (Upgrading to Rolls-Royce F130)
Service
First flight
15 April 1952
Unit cost
$84 million
Operators
United States (USAF)
What Weapons Does The B-52 Stratofortress Carry?
The B-52 Stratofortress can carry up to 70,000 lbs of mixed munitions, deploying AGM-86B air-launched cruise missiles, JDAM precision bombs, quickstrike naval mines, and JASSM standoff missiles across internal and wing hardpoints.
Weapon
Category
Loadout
Range
AGM-86B ALCM
Category
Air-Launched Cruise Missile
Loadout
Up to 20 missiles
Range
2,400 km (1,491 miles)
AGM-158 JASSM
Category
Stealth Cruise Missile
Loadout
Up to 20 missiles
Range
370 km (230 miles)
GBU-31 JDAM
Category
Precision-Guided Bomb (GPS)
Loadout
Up to 30 bombs
Range
24 km (15 miles)
Mark 82
Category
General-Purpose Bomb
Loadout
Up to 51 bombs
Range
Gravity released
Mark 62 Quickstrike
Category
Naval Mine
Loadout
Up to 45 mines
Range
Gravity released
AGM-183 ARRW
Category
Hypersonic Missile
Loadout
Test configuration
Range
1,600 km (994 miles)
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
How Fast Is The B-52 Stratofortress?
The B-52 is subsonic, cruising at around 525 mph with a maximum of roughly 650 mph. It was never intended to outrun interceptors; its value lies in payload, range and the ability to loiter for many hours. Modern operations rely on stand-off weapons launched from outside defended airspace, which removes the need for speed entirely.
How Was The B-52 Stratofortress Developed?
Boeing won the contract in 1948, initially proposing a straight-wing turboprop before redesigning the aircraft over a single weekend in a Dayton hotel room as a swept-wing, eight-engine jet. The prototype YB-52 flew on 15 April 1952. Production ran to 744 airframes ending in 1962, and the surviving H-model fleet is being re-engined with Rolls-Royce F130 turbofans to extend service life further.
Has The B-52 Stratofortress Seen Combat?
The B-52 flew extensive operations over Vietnam, including the Linebacker II campaign, and has been used in the Gulf War, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq and against ISIS. It has dropped more ordnance in anger than any other American aircraft still in service.
Who Operates The B-52 Stratofortress?
The United States Air Force is the sole operator, flying 76 B-52H airframes from Barksdale and Minot Air Force Bases. The re-engining and radar modernisation programme is intended to keep the type flying until at least 2050.
B-52 Stratofortress FAQs
Common questions about the B-52 Stratofortress, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.
Can I fly in the B-52 Stratofortress as a civilian?
No, the B-52 Stratofortress is not available for civilian passenger flights. Jetify offers flights in ex-military aircraft that have been demilitarised and placed on a civil register, such as the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15 Fagot, across 7 aircraft types from 11 airfields in 7 countries.
Can I take the controls of the B-52 Stratofortress?
No, you cannot take the controls of the B-52 Stratofortress, because it is not available for civilian passenger flights. On the aircraft Jetify does operate, such as the L-39 Albatros, most allow you to take the controls in level flight and gentle turns once your pilot is satisfied you are comfortable.
How much does a flight in the B-52 Stratofortress cost?
The B-52 Stratofortress is not available for civilian passenger flights, so there is no price for a flight in one. Jetify flights in jets such as the L-39 Albatros start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, while the MiG-15 Fagot, Aermacchi S.211 and Lockheed T-33 start from around £2,800 ($3,800, €3,400). The Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, starts from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600. Every price is per person and includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening.
Are there weight limits on a jet flight instead of the B-52 Stratofortress?
The B-52 Stratofortress is not available for civilian passenger flights, but all jet flight experiences enforce strict height and weight limits set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.
How much G-force is a jet flight instead of the B-52 Stratofortress?
The B-52 Stratofortress is not available for civilian passenger flights, but on a civilian jet experience aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load. Supersonic and high-altitude profiles are physically far easier, and what happens in the air is agreed with your pilot and can be adjusted at any point.
How far ahead should I book a jet flight instead of the B-52 Stratofortress?
The B-52 Stratofortress is not available for civilian passenger flights, but you should book a real ex-military jet experience, such as the L-39 Albatros, 2 to 4 months in advance because of limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.
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