B-52 Stratofortress
Over the last sixty years, aircraft manufacturers have tried to field a long range, heavy bomber capable of replacing the B-52. Despite all the changes that and advancements that forced other aircraft to come and go since it entered service in 1955, the iconic “Big Ugly Fat Fellow” remained the backbone of Strategic Air Command – and will continue fly until 2040. In-flight refueling means that the five-man crew can deliver their 70,000 lb. payload anywhere on the globe – limited only by the endurance of the crew. Today’s B-52H is the most versatile warplane in the U.S. arsenal, capable of delivering gravity bombs, cluster bombs, precision guided missiles and joint direct attack munitions.
