Boeing B-52F Stratofortress

The Boeing B‑52F Stratofortress is the fifth production model of the United States Air Force’s iconic long‑range strategic bomber, entering service in 1955. Developed from the earlier B‑52A through D variants, the F model incorporated a stronger wing structure, upgraded fuel capacity, and a redesigned vertical stabilizer that improved stability at high altitude. Powered by eight Pratt & Whitney J57‑P‑29W turbo‑jet engines, the B‑52F could cruise at 650 km/h with a range exceeding 14,000 km, allowing nonstop intercontinental missions. The aircraft carried up to 32,000 kg of mixed conventional or nuclear ordnance on its internal bomb bay and underwing hardpoints, and featured an advanced avionics suite for the era, including radar bombing and electronic counter‑measure equipment. Though only 58 units were built before production shifted to the B‑52G, the F variant proved critical during the Cold War, demonstrating the bomber’s ability to penetrate Soviet airspace and to provide a credible deterrent. Its service record laid the groundwork for later upgrades that have kept the B‑52 platform operational for more than seven decades, making it a cornerstone of strategic air power and a benchmark in long‑range, versatile aircraft design.

Boeing

Boeing B-52F Stratofortress

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Production & History

Design & Classification