Boeing B-52A Stratofortress

The Boeing B‑52A Stratofortress, the first production model of the iconic B‑52 family, entered service in 1955 after its maiden flight on 15 April 1952. Developed under the United States Air Force’s Strategic Air Command, the B‑52A was designed to deliver nuclear payloads over intercontinental distances during the early Cold War. Powered by eight Pratt & Whitney J57 turbo‑jet engines mounted in four podded nacelles, the aircraft could cruise at 560 mph and reach a combat radius of more than 8,800 km without refuelling. Its sleek, high‑wing layout and reinforced airframe accommodated a maximum bomb load of 31,500 lb, including conventional and thermonuclear weapons, as well as later modifications for cruise‑missile and aerial‑refueler roles. Although only 18 B‑52As were built before production shifted to the improved B‑52B, the model established the configuration that has defined the Stratofortress for seven decades. The B‑52A demonstrated the feasibility of long‑range, jet‑propelled strategic bombers and set performance benchmarks that influenced subsequent heavy aircraft. Its legacy endures as the foundation of the longest‑servicing combat aircraft in history, shaping strategic airpower doctrine and reinforcing Boeing’s reputation as a premier military‑aircraft manufacturer.

Boeing

Boeing B-52A Stratofortress

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Design & Classification