BOEING B-52 'Stratofortress'

PROGRAMME:

• Full-scale development of a system to carry the AGM-86B air-launched cruise missile started in early 1978.
• A total of 102 B-52H were built. The first being flown on March 6, 1961.
• 98 B-52Gs and 95 B-52Hs were modified to each carry 12 AGM-86B on inboard external pylons plus AGM-69 SRAM or other armament internally.
• The B-52H's most significant change compared to the B-52G was to ensure that the B-52H would be able to penetrate enemy airspace at low level.
• This would require structural modifications to ensure the airframe could withstand the effects of low-level turbelence.
• Other changes to the B-52G to B-52H include the replacement of the four 12.7 mm machine guns with a 20 mm Vulcan six-barrel cannon and enhanced engines
• Other changes included revised ECM equipment and provision of terrian-avoidance radar.
• Since the 1990's the aircarft has undergone many upgrades, including offensive/defensive electronics, the ASQ-151 Elecro-optical Viewing System, Pahse VI ECM and Offecnsive Avionics System.
• The B-52H were also revised for the carriage of conventional weapons for support of US ground and marine operations.

DESIGN FEATURES:

• Cantilever all-metal semi-monocoque with anhedral and 35 degrees sweepback.
• Hydraulically actuated variable incidence tailplane.

POWER PLANT:

• (B-52H): Eight 75.6 kN (17,000 lb, 7711 kg) Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3 dry thrust turbofans.
• Fuel capacity: 174,130 litres (46,000 US gallons; 38,303 Imp gallons) internally, plus two 2650 litre (700 US gallon; 583 Imp gallon) underwing drop tanks.

ACCOMMODATION:

• (B-52G/H): Crew of six (pilot and co-pilot, side by side on flight deck, navigator, radar navigator, ECM operator and gunner).

ARMAMENT:

• (B-52H): Single 20 mm Vulcan multi-barrel cannon in tail turret instead of four machine guns.
• All aircraft being equipped to carry 12 AGM-86 Air Launched Cruise Missiles externally and eight internally on CSRL
• Also capable of being equipped with AGM-69 SRAM stand-off defence-suppression missile.
• Or up to approximately 22,680 kg (50,000 lb) of disposible stores.