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Air ForcesUnited States

B-52H Stratofortress

Long-range strategic bomberIn serviceFielded 1961Pending verification

Also known as: B-52, BUFF

Air ForcesUSA
B-52H Stratofortress
Photo: Senior Airman Keifer Bowes · Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeLong-range strategic bomber
Alternative designationsB-52, BUFF
Date of introduction1961
ProliferationOrigin country only
Crew5High[1]
Flight performance
Speed1,046 km/h650 mph · 565 kt650 mph. af.mil blocked the automated check on 3 Oct 2026; confirm against the fact sheet.High[1]
Range14,160 km8,799 mi · 7,646 nmi8,800 miles unrefueled. af.mil blocked the automated check on 3 Oct 2026; confirm against the fact sheet.High[1]
Service ceiling15,240 m50,000 ft50,000 ft. af.mil blocked the automated check on 3 Oct 2026; confirm against the fact sheet.High[1]
Armament and payload
Payload31,750 kg69,997 lb70,000 lb mixed ordnance. af.mil blocked the automated check on 3 Oct 2026; confirm against the fact sheet.High[1]
Weapons and payload options · 4Confidence · Source
AGM-86B ALCMNuclear air-launched cruise missile
Med[2]
Range
2,500 km1,553 mi · 1,350 nmi
Quantity
Up to 20
Warhead
W80-1, 200 kT
JASSMStealthy standoff cruise missile
Med[3]
Range
370 km230 mi · 200 nmi
Warhead
450 kg WDU-42/B penetrator
JASSM-ERExtended-range standoff cruise missile
Med[3]
Range
1,000 km621 mi · 540 nmi
Warhead
450 kg WDU-42/B penetrator

Approximately 1,000 km

Mixed ordnanceBombs, mines and missiles
High[1]
Quantity
About 70,000 lb

af.mil blocked the automated check on 3 Oct 2026; confirm against the fact sheet.

Summary

Long-range, subsonic heavy bomber able to carry nuclear and precision conventional weapons.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
United States
Sources
  1. B-52H Stratofortress fact sheet, U.S. Air Force
    Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-03
  2. AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missile, CSIS Missile Defense Project
    Published/updated 2024-04-23 · Tier 2 · checked 2026-10-03
  3. JASSM / JASSM-ER, CSIS Missile Defense Project
    Published/updated 2024-04-23 · Tier 2 · checked 2026-10-03
Change log
  • 2026-10-03 Initial draft entry from cited open sources
  • 2026-10-03 Added payload options and capabilities
  • 2026-10-04 Added photo (Public domain)