The B-52 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 up to 50,000 feet. It can carry nuclear or precision guided conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability.
In VietNam B-52 planes were used for high altitude carpet bombing. Finally in 1972 the B-52 was used over North Vietnam for 11 days in a successful attempt to force North Vietnam to negotiate and finally bring the war to an end. B-52s were used heavily during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, and recently during the War on Terror in Afghanistan.
Aircraft Facts | |
| Primary Function: | Heavy bomber |
| Built By | Boeing Military Airplane Co. |
| Speed | 650 miles per hour (Mach 0.86) |
| Ceiling | 50,000 feet (15,151.5 meters) |
Information and picture courtesy of Far From Glory web site http://www.farfromglory.com/aircraft.htm.