{
  "id": "b-52h",
  "name": "B-52H Stratofortress",
  "aliases": [
    "B-52",
    "BUFF"
  ],
  "domain": "air",
  "country": "USA",
  "category": "Long-range strategic bomber",
  "status": "in-service",
  "fielded": 1961,
  "operators": [
    "USA"
  ],
  "summary": "Long-range, subsonic heavy bomber able to carry nuclear and precision conventional weapons.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "speed_kmh",
      "v": 1046,
      "src": [
        "af-b52"
      ],
      "conf": "high",
      "note": "650 mph. af.mil blocked the automated check on 3 Oct 2026; confirm against the fact sheet."
    },
    {
      "k": "range_km",
      "v": 14160,
      "src": [
        "af-b52"
      ],
      "conf": "high",
      "note": "8,800 miles unrefueled. af.mil blocked the automated check on 3 Oct 2026; confirm against the fact sheet."
    },
    {
      "k": "ceiling_m",
      "v": 15240,
      "src": [
        "af-b52"
      ],
      "conf": "high",
      "note": "50,000 ft. af.mil blocked the automated check on 3 Oct 2026; confirm against the fact sheet."
    },
    {
      "k": "payload_kg",
      "v": 31750,
      "src": [
        "af-b52"
      ],
      "conf": "high",
      "note": "70,000 lb mixed ordnance. af.mil blocked the automated check on 3 Oct 2026; confirm against the fact sheet."
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 5,
      "src": [
        "af-b52"
      ],
      "conf": "high"
    }
  ],
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-03",
      "change": "Initial draft entry from cited open sources"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-03",
      "change": "Added payload options and capabilities"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-04",
      "change": "Added photo (Public domain)"
    }
  ],
  "art": "bomber",
  "image": {
    "file": "b-52h.jpg",
    "thumb": "b-52h-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "Senior Airman Keifer Bowes",
    "license": "Public domain",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_Boeing_B-52H_Stratofortress_in_flight_over_the_Persian_Gulf_(190521-F-XN348-9173).jpg",
    "title": "File:A Boeing B-52H Stratofortress in flight over the Persian Gulf (190521-F-XN348-9173).jpg"
  },
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "AGM-86B ALCM",
      "role": "Nuclear air-launched cruise missile",
      "src": [
        "csis-alcm"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "range_km": 2500,
      "qty": "Up to 20",
      "caps": {
        "Warhead": "W80-1, 200 kT"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "JASSM",
      "role": "Stealthy standoff cruise missile",
      "src": [
        "csis-jassm"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "range_km": 370,
      "caps": {
        "Warhead": "450 kg WDU-42/B penetrator"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "JASSM-ER",
      "role": "Extended-range standoff cruise missile",
      "src": [
        "csis-jassm"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "range_km": 1000,
      "caps": {
        "Warhead": "450 kg WDU-42/B penetrator"
      },
      "note": "Approximately 1,000 km"
    },
    {
      "name": "Mixed ordnance",
      "role": "Bombs, mines and missiles",
      "src": [
        "af-b52"
      ],
      "conf": "high",
      "qty": "About 70,000 lb",
      "caps": {},
      "note": "af.mil blocked the automated check on 3 Oct 2026; confirm against the fact sheet."
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/b-52h.html",
  "sources": {
    "af-b52": {
      "title": "B-52H Stratofortress fact sheet",
      "publisher": "U.S. Air Force",
      "url": "https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104465/b-52h-stratofortress/",
      "published": null,
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-03"
    },
    "csis-alcm": {
      "title": "AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missile",
      "publisher": "CSIS Missile Defense Project",
      "url": "https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/alcm/",
      "published": "2024-04-23",
      "tier": 2,
      "checked": "2026-10-03"
    },
    "csis-jassm": {
      "title": "JASSM / JASSM-ER",
      "publisher": "CSIS Missile Defense Project",
      "url": "https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/jassm/",
      "published": "2024-04-23",
      "tier": 2,
      "checked": "2026-10-03"
    }
  }
}