Nice avatar Patricius!
What a amazing air-frame engineering?
The B-52 Stratofortress Bomber was launched in 1952 and and is thought to be serviceable through 2040.
"Tricked-out" and more deadly than ever.
Mission
The B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet (15,166.6 meters). It can carry nuclear or precision guided conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability
Background
For more than 40 years, B-52 Stratofortresses have been the backbone of the manned strategic bomber force for the United States. The B-52 is capable of dropping or launching the widest array of weapons in the U.S. inventory. This includes gravity bombs, cluster bombs, precision guided missiles and joint direct attack munitions. Updated with modern technology the B-52 will be capable of delivering the full complement of joint developed weapons and will continue into the 21st century as an important element of our nation's defenses.
Current engineering analyses show the B-52's life span to extend beyond the year 2040.General characteristics
Primary function: heavy bomber
Contractor: Boeing Military Airplane Co.
Power plant: eight Pratt & Whitney engines TF33-P-3/103 turbofan
Thrust: each engine up to 17,000 pounds
Wingspan: 185 feet (56.4 meters)
Length: 159 feet, 4 inches (48.5 meters)
Height: 40 feet, 8 inches (12.4 meters)
Weight: Approximately 185,000 pounds (83,250 kilograms)
Maximum takeoff weight: 488,000 pounds (219,600 kilograms)
Fuel capacity: 312,197 pounds (141,610 kilograms)
Payload: 70,000 pounds (31,500 kilograms)
Speed: 650 miles per hour (Mach 0.84)
Range: 8,800 miles (7,652 nautical miles)
Ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,151.5 meters)
Armament: approximately 70,000 pounds (31,500 kilograms) mixed ordnance: bombs, mines and missiles. (Modified to carry air-launched cruise missiles)
Crew: five (aircraft commander, pilot, radar navigator, navigator and electronic warfare officer)
Unit cost: $84 million (fiscal 2012 constant dollars)
Initial operating capability: April 1952
Inventory: active force, 58; ANG, 0; Reserve, 18
(Current as of December 2015)
Point of contact
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs Office
Afgsc.paworkflow@us.af.mil; 318-456-1305 or DSN 781-1305
245 Davis Ave E Room 198, Barksdale AFB, LA., 71110