Aircraft & UAVs

B-52 Stratofortress

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

The B-52 Stratofortress is a Boeing-built U.S. long-range heavy bomber that carries conventional and nuclear ordnance, cruise missiles, mines, and precision-guided weapons. Its conflict record spans Vietnam-era Arc Light missions, Desert Storm, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, anti-ISIS operations, and later U.S. long-range strike deployments.

B-52 Stratofortress, Long-range heavy bomber, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: B-52 flying over clouds

Role in Conflicts

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

Used by U.S. forces in Southeast Asia from the first B-52 combat mission in June 1965 through Operation Arc Light and the December 1972 Linebacker II raids over North Vietnam.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Built by
Boeing
Type
Long-range heavy bomber
Designer
Boeing

Specifications

Crew
5
Engines
8 Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofan engines
Payload
Up to 70,000 pounds (31,751 kilograms)
Speed
650 miles per hour (Mach 0.84)
Range
In excess of 8,800 miles (14,080 kilometers)
Ceiling
50,000 feet (15,151.5 meters)
Maximum takeoff weight
488,000 pounds (219,600 kilograms)
Armament
Approximately 70,000 pounds of mixed bombs, mines, and missiles
Variants

The public B-52 record is a family page: earlier D and G models anchor much of the Vietnam and Desert Storm history, the H model is the operational Air Force variant, and the planned B-52J configuration covers the engine and radar modernization path.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
B-52D StratofortressVietnam-era heavy bomber

The National Museum of the USAF says 170 B-52Ds were built, and its displayed B-52D served extensively in Southeast Asia.

Sources: Boeing B-52D Stratofortress

B-52G StratofortressLate Cold War and Gulf War model

The Museum of Flight identifies the G model as a 193-aircraft production version with avionics, fuel-system, flight-control, and fin changes.

Sources: Boeing B-52G Stratofortress

B-52H StratofortressCurrent operational model

The Air Force fact sheet identifies the H model as the only B-52 variant still in the Air Force inventory.

Sources: B-52H Stratofortress

B-52JPlanned modernized configuration

Air Force Life Cycle Management Center reporting says the B-52J engine-replacement program will convert B-52H aircraft with F130 engines, new generators, and follow-on fleet modification after test aircraft.

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. First combat mission in Vietnam

    B-52s entered combat as part of Operation Arc Light, striking a target in South Vietnam on 18 June 1965.

    Sources: B-52 Stratofortress in Southeast Asia

  2. B-52 strike planning in Laos

    U.S. historical records show officials discussing B-52 strikes in Laos during the Plain of Jars crisis, including target development and authorization questions.

    Sources: B-52 strikes in Laos

  3. Linebacker II raids over North Vietnam

    In December 1972, B-52 missions during Operation Linebacker II became the best-known bomber operations of the Southeast Asia War.

    Sources: B-52s and Linebacker II

  4. Operation Allied Force strike mission over Kosovo

    An Air Force photo shows a B-52H from the 2nd Air Expeditionary Group heading toward a target in Kosovo during a NATO Operation Allied Force combat penetration mission.

    Sources: Combat mission

  5. Operation Iraqi Freedom opens

    The B-52 played a role in the opening night of Operation Iraqi Freedom, flying from Fairford and Diego Garcia against Iraqi forces during the 2003 invasion.

    Sources: B-52H Stratofortress

Media

B-52 Stratofortress Videos

B-52 Stratofortress Images

B-52 Stratofortress, Long-range heavy bomber, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: B-52 Stratofortress landing
B-52 Stratofortress, Long-range heavy bomber, Aircraft & UAVs - 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