The B-52 took its maiden flight in April 1952. Built to carry nuclear weapons for Cold War deterrence missions, the B-52 Stratofortress replaced the Convair B-36 Peacemaker.

Jan 21, 2026 · Profile of the B-52 Stratofortress heavy bomber, including its specifications and the history of its development and use in combat.

The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet.

Dec 11, 2025 · Originally an intercontinental high-altitude bomber, the B-52 has been adapted over decades to meet evolving national defense needs. Boeing built 744 aircraft through 1962; the B-52H …

Apr 15, 2025 · The B-52 bomber, formally known as the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, is one of the most iconic military aircraft in aviation history. First introduced during the Cold War and still flying today, …

One of the most recognizable aircraft in the world and an icon of the United States’ Cold War deterrent, the B-52 Stratofortress was for decades the U.S. Air Force’s primary strategic nuclear...

Feb 4, 2026 · The B-52 is evolving into a hypersonic, drone-launching arsenal plane. Here is how AESA radar and digital upgrades are preparing it for 100 years of flight.

The B-52H is a long-range nuclear/conventional bomber and USAF’s primary standoff cruise missile carrier. The YB-52 prototype first flew on April 15, 1952, and Strategic Air Command declared IOC …

The B-52 Stratofortress was born into a world of black-and-white television and slide rules, yet it is now being rebuilt to fight in an era of hypersonic weapons and AI-enabled swarms. The United ...

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress history, production, surviving aircraft and photographs.