Beginning in 1961 b 52 bombers also secretly flew as part of the hard head mission or thule monitor missions over thule air base. These bombers gave sac offensive capability in the event of a soviet first strike and provided a significant cold war nuclear deterrent. At minot air force base 12 b 52 bombers were deployed in an exercise to demonstrate that the squadron could project nuclear force anywhere anytime.
The venerable b 52h stratofortress long range bomber is no longer listed by the national nuclear security administration nnsa with a capability to deliver nuclear gravity bombs. A b 52h bomber conducts a b61 7 nuclear gravity bomb drop test at the tonopah test range in nevada. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50 000 feet 15 166 6 meters.
The b 52h also provides theater cincs with a long range strike capability. It provides the only air launch cruise missile carriage in the usaf. The b 52h buff big ugly fat fellow is the primary nuclear roled bomber in the usaf inventory.
The us air force says it wants to be more unpredictable. All five nuclear capable b 52 strategic bombers departed their forward base on the pacific island of guam just days after taking part in an elephant walk show of force. The air force s b 52h bomber force has said goodbye to its nuclear bombs a new air force manual confirms that the only nuclear weapons these iconic aircraft are now approved to carry are nuclear.
Air force is preparing to spend billions of dollars to develop a new air launched cruise missile. To keep the b 52 bomber relevant for its nuclear mission the u s. Due to its high mission capable rate large payload long range persistence and ability to employ both nuclear and conventional precision standoff weapons the b 52 continues to be a critical contributor to the u s.
The b 52 is the most combat capable bomber in the u s. Trump sends b 52 nuclear bomber to south china sea in show of force to beijing south china sea tensions have hit a crisis point after the us sent a nuclear bomber to the region in a sign of force. The bomber is capable of carrying up to 70 000 pounds 32 000 kg of weapons and has a typical combat range of more than 8 800.
The boeing b 52 stratofortress is an american long range subsonic jet powered strategic bomber the b 52 was designed and built by boeing which has continued to provide support and upgrades it has been operated by the united states air force usaf since the 1950s.
