Aeronaves y UAV

B-52 Stratofortress

Also known as
  • B-52
  • B-52H
  • B-52G
  • B-52D
  • BUFF

El B-52 Stratofortress es un bombardero pesado estadounidense de largo alcance construido por Boeing que transporta munición convencional y nuclear, misiles de crucero, minas y armas guiadas de precisión. Su historial de conflicto abarca misiones Arc Light de la era de Vietnam, Desert Storm, Kosovo, Afganistán, Irak, operaciones contra ISIS y despliegues posteriores de ataque estadounidense de largo alcance.

B-52 Stratofortress, Bombardero pesado de largo alcance, Aeronaves y UAV
Image source: B-52 flying over clouds

Role in Conflicts

1955 Vietnam War
Long-Range StrikeInterdiction
Side
United States and South Vietnam

Usado por fuerzas estadounidenses en el Sudeste Asiático desde la primera misión de combate del B-52 en junio de 1965 hasta Operation Arc Light y las incursiones Linebacker II de diciembre de 1972 sobre Vietnam del Norte.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Estados Unidos
Built by
Boeing
Type
Bombardero pesado de largo alcance
Designer
Boeing

Specifications

Tripulación
5
Motores
8 motores turbofán Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103
Carga útil
Hasta 70.000 libras (31.751 kilogramos)
Velocidad
650 millas por hora (Mach 0.84)
Alcance
Más de 8.800 millas (14.080 kilómetros)
Techo
50.000 pies (15.151,5 metros)
Peso máximo al despegue
488.000 libras (219.600 kilogramos)
Armamento
Aproximadamente 70.000 libras de bombas, minas y misiles mixtos
Variants

El registro público del B-52 es una página de familia: los modelos D y G anteriores sostienen gran parte de la historia de Vietnam y Desert Storm, el modelo H es la variante operativa de la Air Force, y la configuración B-52J prevista cubre la ruta de modernización de motores y radar.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
B-52D StratofortressBombardero pesado de la era de Vietnam

El National Museum of the USAF dice que se construyeron 170 B-52D, y que su B-52D expuesto prestó amplio servicio en el Sudeste Asiático.

Sources: Boeing B-52D Stratofortress

B-52G StratofortressModelo de finales de la Guerra Fría y la Guerra del Golfo

The Museum of Flight identifica el modelo G como una versión de producción de 193 aeronaves con cambios de aviónica, sistema de combustible, controles de vuelo y deriva.

Sources: Boeing B-52G Stratofortress

B-52H StratofortressModelo operativo actual

La hoja informativa de la Air Force identifica el modelo H como la única variante del B-52 que sigue en el inventario de la Air Force.

Sources: B-52H Stratofortress

B-52JConfiguración modernizada prevista

La información del Air Force Life Cycle Management Center dice que el programa de reemplazo de motores B-52J convertirá aeronaves B-52H con motores F130, nuevos generadores y una modificación posterior de la flota después de las aeronaves de prueba.

Sources: B-52J Engine Replacement Critical Design Review

Compatible Bombs
Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
GBU-31(V)3/B Joint Direct Attack Munition, 2,000-pound GPS/INS-guided hard-target penetrator bomb, MunitionsGBU-31(V)3/B Joint Direct Attack Munition2,000-pound hard-target penetrator bomb

The Air Force JDAM fact sheet lists JDAM as currently compatible with the B-52H.

Sources: Air Force JDAM Fact Sheet

Carried Munitions

A U.S. Air Force photo caption shows a B-52H Stratofortress carrying the AGM-84D Harpoon missile. The B-52 Stratofortress has documented carriage of unguided bombs, guided bombs, naval mines, cluster munitions, and AGM-158 JASSM standoff missiles.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
M117 750-pound unguided bomb, 750-pound unguided general-purpose bomb, MunitionsM117 750-pound unguided bomb750-pound unguided bomb

Minot Air Force Base said the B-52 was the only airframe that could carry the M117, and Air Force reporting links B-52 crews to M117 use in Vietnam and Desert Storm.

Sources: Bombs Away!, Blast from the past: Last M117 bomb dropped near Guam coast

GBU-24 Paveway III, 2,000-pound-class laser-guided bomb, MunitionsGBU-24 Paveway III2,000-pound-class laser-guided bomb

Air & Space Forces lists B-52 aircraft among the GBU-24 integration platforms in its Paveway III weapon entry.

Sources: GBU-24/28 Paveway III

AGM-84D Harpoon, Air-launched anti-ship cruise missile, MunitionsAGM-84D HarpoonAnti-ship missile

A U.S. Air Force photo caption shows a B-52H Stratofortress carrying the AGM-84D Harpoon missile.

Sources: AGM-84D Harpoon

Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kit, GPS/INS guidance tail kit for free-fall bombs, MunitionsJoint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kitGuided bomb

A June 2025 Air Force Safety Center article says a B-52 Stratofortress dropped two JDAM-enabled inert bombs during a Claiborne Range test and that the range had been converted for use by the B-52.

Sources: Claiborne Range expands capabilities for B-52 community

GBU-31(V)1 Joint Direct Attack Munition, 2,000-pound JDAM bomb, MunitionsGBU-31(V)1 Joint Direct Attack Munition2,000-pound JDAM

The Air Force historical study identifies the B-52H Stratofortress among aircraft that used the GBU-31 JDAM family.

Sources: Three New Weapons

AGM-158 JASSM, Air-launched standoff cruise missile, MunitionsAGM-158 JASSMStandoff cruise missile

An Air Force article says the B-52 Stratofortress carries 12 AGM-158 JASSMs, and a Minot article reports a B-52H flew a sortie testing a new JASSM with the weapon's functions and B-52 avionics performing as expected.

Sources: B-1 carries record-setting missile load

CBU-105 Sensor Fuzed Weapon, Sensor-fuzed cluster munition, MunitionsCBU-105 Sensor Fuzed WeaponSensor-fuzed cluster munition

Air Force sources show CBU-105 munitions loaded onto a B-52H and describe B-52 crews employing the sensor-fuzed weapon in combat.

Sources: Load 'er up, B-52 crews use 'smart-guided' cluster bomb

Mk 65 Quick Strike naval mine, 2,000-pound naval mine, MunitionsMk 65 Quick Strike naval mine2,000-pound Quickstrike naval mine

DVIDS MINEX coverage lists the B-52H among aircraft able to employ Mk 65 Quickstrike mines.

Sources: VP-8 and JMSDF MINEX

Air-dropped bombs, Aircraft-delivered general-purpose bomb class, MunitionsAir-dropped bombsGravity bomb class

The Air Force fact sheet says the B-52H can drop gravity bombs and carry mixed bombs, mines, and missiles.

Sources: B-52H Stratofortress

Carried Cruise Missiles

B-52H bombers also carry the AGM-86B/C/D missile family in a mix of external and internal launch positions.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
AGM-86B/C/D Missiles, Air-launched cruise missile family, MunitionsAGM-86B/C/D MissilesAir-launched cruise missile family

The Air Force fact sheet says B-52H bombers carry six AGM-86B/C/D missiles on each of two externally mounted pylons and eight internally on a rotary launcher, for a maximum of 20 missiles per aircraft.

Sources: AGM-86B/C/D Missiles | U.S. Air Force

Targeting Pods

Modern B-52H operations use advanced targeting pods for target detection, identification, designation, and battle assessment.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
LITENING II Pod, Electro-optical/infrared targeting pod, Support EquipmentLITENING II PodLaser targeting pod

Air Force reporting from Operation Iraqi Freedom says a B-52 used a Litening II targeting pod to identify and designate targets for laser-guided bombs in northern Iraq.

Sources: B-52 Litening II pod used in combat

Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-33), Externally mounted electro-optical targeting pod, Support EquipmentSniper Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-33)Advanced targeting pod

Lockheed Martin announced that Sniper ATP achieved operational flight status on U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers.

Sources: Sniper ATP B-52 Operational Flight Status

Planned Standoff Weapons
Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
Long Range Standoff Weapon, Nuclear air-launched cruise missile, MunitionsLong Range Standoff WeaponFuture nuclear standoff missile

Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center reporting describes the Long Range Stand Off weapon as a future force multiplier for B-52, B-2, and B-21 bombers while it replaces the aging ALCM.

Sources: Air-launched cruise missile passes tests

Timeline

B-52 Stratofortress Key Events

  1. Primera misión de combate en Vietnam

    Los B-52 entraron en combate como parte de Operation Arc Light, atacando un objetivo en Vietnam del Sur el 18 de junio de 1965.

    Sources: B-52 Stratofortress in Southeast Asia

  2. Planificación de ataques B-52 en Laos

    Registros históricos estadounidenses muestran a funcionarios discutiendo ataques B-52 en Laos durante la crisis de la Llanura de las Jarras, incluidas cuestiones de desarrollo de objetivos y autorización.

    Sources: B-52 strikes in Laos

  3. Incursiones Linebacker II sobre Vietnam del Norte

    En diciembre de 1972, las misiones B-52 durante Operation Linebacker II se convirtieron en las operaciones de bombarderos más conocidas de la Guerra del Sudeste Asiático.

    Sources: B-52s and Linebacker II

  4. Misión de ataque de Operation Allied Force sobre Kosovo

    Una foto de la Air Force muestra un B-52H del 2nd Air Expeditionary Group dirigiéndose hacia un objetivo en Kosovo durante una misión de penetración de combate de la Operation Allied Force de la OTAN.

    Sources: Combat mission

  5. Comienza Operation Iraqi Freedom

    El B-52 desempeñó un papel en la noche inicial de Operation Iraqi Freedom, volando desde Fairford y Diego Garcia contra fuerzas iraquíes durante la invasión de 2003.

    Sources: B-52H Stratofortress

Media

B-52 Stratofortress Videos

B-52 Stratofortress Images

B-52 Stratofortress, Bombardero pesado de largo alcance, Aeronaves y UAV - view 1
Source: B-52 Stratofortress landing
B-52 Stratofortress, Bombardero pesado de largo alcance, Aeronaves y UAV - view 2
Source: B-52 Stratofortress landing
Related Weapon Systems
AGM-86B/C/D Missiles, Air-launched cruise missile family, MunitionsMunitionsAGM-86B/C/D MissilesAir-launched cruise missile familyThe AGM-86B/C/D missiles are Boeing-built U.S. air-launched cruise missiles developed for B-52 bomber standoff strike. The AGM-86A prototype did not enter production; the longer-range AGM-86B became the nuclear ALCM, while the AGM-86C and AGM-86D CALCM conversions replaced the nuclear payload with conventional blast/fragmentation or penetrating warheads. Air Force material lists AGM-86B as the remaining active-force variant and says the C/D stockpile was demilitarized by October 2022.
F/A-18 Hornet (Tactical), Carrier-capable multirole strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsF/A-18 Hornet (Tactical)Carrier-capable multirole strike fighterThe F/A-18 Hornet (Tactical) is the National Naval Aviation Museum's label for the original McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 A-D Hornet family, a twin-engine carrier-capable strike fighter that entered Marine Corps service in 1983 and U.S. Navy service in 1984. NAVAIR describes the Hornet as the nation's first all-weather fighter and attack aircraft; its documented combat record spans Libya, Desert Storm, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, and later coalition campaigns.
GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator, Air-delivered deep-penetration guided bomb, MunitionsMunitionsGBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance PenetratorAir-delivered deep-penetration guided bombThe GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator is a Boeing-built U.S. Air Force GPS-guided bunker-buster bomb for hardened and deeply buried facilities. Developed from a Defense Threat Reduction Agency technology demonstration and integrated for B-2 Spirit employment, it became operationally documented in June 2025 when U.S. B-2s used 14 weapons against Iranian nuclear target areas during Operation Midnight Hammer, an event tracked in both the catalog's U.S.-Iran and 2025 Israel-Iran conflict scopes.

Sources

Air Force JDAM Fact SheetPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports JDAM compatibility with the B-52 Stratofortress. | Accessed: 2026-06-28Load 'er upPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: B-52 Stratofortress: used to load CBU-105 munitions onto a B-52H Stratofortress during Combat Hammer. | Accessed: 2026-06-28B-52 crews use 'smart-guided' cluster bombPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: B-52 Stratofortress: used by B-52 crews in combat while employing CBU-105 sensor-fused cluster bombs. | Accessed: 2026-06-28B-52H StratofortressPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports B-52H mission/background, Air Force-published specifications, and direct 2003 Iraq War use through Operation Iraqi Freedom CALCM launches. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Combat missionPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: 1999 Kosovo War / Operation Allied Force: used by a U.S. Air Force B-52H on a NATO Operation Allied Force combat penetration mission toward a target in Kosovo. | Accessed: 2026-06-26B-52Publisher: Boeing | Note: Supports B-52 manufacturer background and published specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Boeing B-52D StratofortressPublisher: National Museum of the USAF | Note: Supports B-52D variant history, Southeast Asia service context, and museum technical notes. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Boeing B-52G StratofortressPublisher: The Museum of Flight | Note: Supports B-52G production, design-change, and Vietnam War service context. | Accessed: 2026-07-01B-52J Engine Replacement Critical Design ReviewPublisher: Air Force Life Cycle Management Center | Note: Supports B-52J modernization context, including the F130 engine replacement path and planned conversion of B-52H aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-07-01B-52 Radar Modernization Ferry FlightPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports B-52 modernization context for the AESA radar, broader fleet upgrades, and planned service-life extension. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Epic Fury Overland B-52 Missions BriefingPublisher: U.S. Department of War | Note: 2020 United States-Iran Conflict: used by U.S. forces in Operation Epic Fury for the first overland B-52 missions. | Accessed: 2026-06-20The BUFF passes bomber torch after two years pummeling ISIS, Taliban targetsPublisher: U.S. Air Forces Central | Note: 2014 War Against the Islamic State: used by U.S. forces in the anti-ISIS campaign under 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve, where deployed B-52 squadrons flew more than 1,800 sorties and employed nearly 12,000 weapons against ISIS targets. | Accessed: 2026-06-26B-52 Bombers Deploy in Support of Operation Epic FuryPublisher: U.S. Central Command | Note: 2020 United States-Iran Conflict: used by U.S. forces in Operation Epic Fury as B-52 bombers prepared for takeoff. | Accessed: 2026-06-20B-52 notches another warPublisher: Axios | Note: 2020 United States-Iran Conflict: reported B-52 Stratofortress combat flights against Iranian ballistic-missile and command-and-control sites during Operation Epic Fury in March 2026. | Accessed: 2026-06-26B-52s Arrive at Al Udeid Air BasePublisher: U.S. Department of War | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use under Operation Inherent Resolve: 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve: used by U.S. forces in 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve when B-52s arrived at Al Udeid Air Base in support of coalition operations. | Accessed: 2026-06-21Iraqi forces liberate Hit; B-52s fly first missions over IraqPublisher: U.S. Central Command | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use under Operation Inherent Resolve: 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve: used by U.S. forces in 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve when B-52s flew their first missions over Iraq. | Accessed: 2026-06-21B-52s arrive at Al Udeid AB in support of Afghanistan drawdownPublisher: U.S. Air Forces Central | Note: 2001 War in Afghanistan: used by U.S. forces in the 2001 War in Afghanistan when B-52s were deployed in support of Afghanistan drawdown operations. | Accessed: 2026-06-21Additional B-52 aircraft arrive to support Afghanistan drawdownPublisher: U.S. Air Forces Central | Note: 2001 War in Afghanistan: used by U.S. forces in the 2001 War in Afghanistan when additional B-52 aircraft arrived to support Afghanistan drawdown operations. | Accessed: 2026-06-21B-52 Stratofortress in Southeast AsiaPublisher: National Museum of the USAF | Note: 1955 Vietnam War: used by U.S. forces when B-52s flew their first combat mission in 1965 and later conducted Operation Arc Light attacks across South Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam. | Accessed: 2026-07-01B-52s and Linebacker IIPublisher: National Museum of the USAF | Note: 1955 Vietnam War: used by U.S. forces in December 1972 when B-52s flew missions over North Vietnam during Operation Linebacker II. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Desert Storm: 2nd Bomb Wing leads the air warPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: 1990 Gulf War: used by U.S.-led coalition forces during Operation Desert Storm, including the opening B-52G CALCM mission and later B-52 sorties against Iraqi targets. | Accessed: 2026-07-01B-52 Litening II pod used in combatPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: 2003 Iraq War: used by U.S. forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom when a B-52 used a Litening II targeting pod and dropped laser-guided bombs against targets in northern Iraq. | Accessed: 2026-07-01B-52 flying over cloudsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and public-domain licensing for the B-52 flying over clouds file. | Accessed: 2026-06-20B-52 Stratofortress landingPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and public-domain licensing for the B-52 Stratofortress landing file. | Accessed: 2026-06-20B-52 StratofortressPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and public-domain licensing for the B-52 Stratofortress file. | Accessed: 2026-06-20AGM-84D HarpoonPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the captioned B-52H Stratofortress carriage of the AGM-84D Harpoon missile and image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-06-27AGM-86B/C/D Missiles | U.S. Air ForcePublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the B-52H loadout relationship for the AGM-86B/C/D missile family and the fact sheet's carrier-aircraft description. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Claiborne Range expands capabilities for B-52 communityPublisher: U.S. Air Force Safety Center | Note: Supports B-52 carriage of JDAM-enabled inert bombs during the Claiborne Range test and the B-52 community context. | Accessed: 2026-06-28B-1 carries record-setting missile loadPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports B-52 carriage context for AGM-158 JASSM by stating B-52 Stratofortress aircraft can carry 12 AGM-158 JASSMs. | Accessed: 2026-06-28GBU-24/28 Paveway IIIPublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Supports B-52 integration with the GBU-24 Paveway III as listed in the weapon entry's integration line. | Accessed: 2026-06-28Three New WeaponsPublisher: Department of the Air Force History and Museums Program | Note: Supports B-52H Stratofortress use of the GBU-31 JDAM family. | Accessed: 2026-06-28Bombs Away!Publisher: Minot Air Force Base | Note: Supports the M117 bomb relationship by describing the B-52 as the only airframe able to carry M117 bombs at Minot. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Blast from the past: Last M117 bomb dropped near Guam coastPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports B-52 carriage and historical use of M117 bombs in Vietnam-era operations and Operation Desert Storm. | Accessed: 2026-07-01VP-8 and JMSDF MINEXPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports the B-52H carrier-aircraft relationship for Mk 65 Quickstrike mines. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Sniper ATP B-52 Operational Flight StatusPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Sniper ATP operational flight status on U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Air-launched cruise missile passes testsPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports B-52H ALCM carriage and Long Range Stand Off weapon compatibility context for B-52, B-2, and B-21 bombers. | Accessed: 2026-07-01B-52 strikes in LaosPublisher: Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State | Note: Supports the February 1970 Laos timeline entry about U.S. official discussion of B-52 strikes near the Plain of Jars. | Accessed: 2026-07-01