A B-52 during AAR (Air-to-Air Refueling) operations with a KC-135. (Image credit: USAF).
A quick look at the B-52 Stratofortress and its incredible career.
Even though it is 60 years old, the B-52 still plays a major role in the U.S. deterrence policy.
The Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber, capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet, of carrying nuclear or precision guided conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability. That’s why it can perform a variety of missions with plenty of years of service left.
David Cenciotti is a freelance journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written four books.
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