How Big is a B52 Bomber

B52 Bomber dimensions can differ a bit because there are many variants. The following specs are of the B52H. 

B52H Technical Specifications
 
The bomber is 159 ft 4 in (48.5 m) long and 40 ft 8 in (12.4 m) high. The wingspan is 185 ft 0 in (56.4 m) and the total wing area is 4,000 sq ft (370 m3). The airfoil is NACA 63A219.3 mod root, NACA 65A209.5 tip. 
 
The B52 weighs 185,000 lb (83,250 kg) empty and 265,000 lb (120,000 kg) when loaded. The maximum takeoff weight is 488,000 lb (220,000 kg). The powerplant is composed of 8× Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofans. Each turbofan is 17,000 lbf (76 kN). 
 
The fuel capacity is 47,975 U.S. gal (39,948 imp gal; 181,610 L) and the zero-lift drag coefficient is 0.0119. The drag area is 47.60 sq ft (4.42 m2) and the aspect ratio is 8.56. 
 
Performance 
 
The B52 Bomber dimensions require a crew of 5. They are composed of the pilot, copilot, bombardier or radar navigator, EWO (Electronic Warfare Officer) and navigator. The top speed is 560 kt (650 mph, 1,000 km/h) and the combat radius is 4,480 mi (3,890 NM, 7,210 km). 
 
The service ceiling is 50,000 ft (15,000 m) and the ferry range is 10,145 mi (8,764 nm, 16,232 km). The wing loading is 120 lb/ft2 (595 kg/m2) and the rate of climb is 6,270 ft/min (31.85 m/s). The estimated lift to drag ratio is 21.5. The thrust/weight is 0.31. 
 
Armament of the B52
 
This includes a 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan cannon and 4x .50 caliber machine guns. Not all current B52s carry these guns however. The aircraft is capable of carrying different bombs up to 70,000 pounds (31,500 kg). Aside from bombs, it can also deploy mines and missiles. Multiple configurations are possible. 
 
General Information 
 
The official name is the B-52 Stratofortress. It is a jet-powered, subsonic long-range bomber. The aircraft was made by Boeing and run by the United States Air Force (USAF). Development of the B52 began in 1946. 
 
It was originally powered by six turboprop engines. The last prototype is powered by eight turbojet engines. The very first B52 was flown on 15 April 1952. During the Cold War era, the B52 was used to carry nuclear weapons. 
 
The B52 Bomber dimensions allow it to carry a large number of weapons. It has been used in many wars, but only conventional armaments have been used. In the USAF, it is known as BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fellow). 

Similar Posts