Strategic heavy bomber ·First flight 1952 · In service 1955
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range strategic bomber that first flew in 1952 and is projected to keep flying into the 2050s — a service life approaching a full century.
Its eight engines and vast payload have carried it through every American conflict since Vietnam, and upgrades keep the venerable "BUFF" a relevant, standoff-capable heavy bomber generations after its crews' grandparents flew it.
