The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, jet strategic bomber that replaced the Convair B-36 and the Boeing B-47. Built by Boeing Aircraft CB-52G Stratofortressorporation in Wichita, Kansas, it has been operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) since 1955. Rarely called by its official name Stratofortress, it is more commonly referred to as BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fellow). On November 23, 1945, Air Materiel Command, a former USAF command, issued desired performance characteristics for a new strategic bomber. Boeing, Consolidated Aircraft and Glenn L. Martin Company all submitted proposals, with Boeing winning the design competition. The primary nuclear-roled bomber in the USAF inventory, the B-52 was designed to reduce the overall aircraft weight in an effort to improve performance and has the longest unrefueled range of any bomber. It can carry up to 60,000 pounds of nuclear or conventional ordnance and can fly at high subsonic speeds and altitudes with worldwide precision navigation capability. The first B-52G aircraft rolled out of the production plant in the summer of 1958. The “G” model was heavier than earlier variants and had increased unrefueled range. Other changes included an enlarged nose radome, a reduced vertical fin size, a modified tail cone and removed ailerons. |
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