Rare restored footage of Boeing B52 Stratofortress and B47 Stratojet development and maintenance.
The Boeing B52 Stratofortress is an American longrange, highalert, subsonic, jetpowered strategic bomber. The B52 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. The bomber can carry up to 70,000 pounds (32,000 kg) of weapons and has a typical combat range of more than 8,800 miles (14,080 km) without aerial refueling.

Beginning with the successful contract bid in June 1946, the B52 design evolved from a straightwing aircraft powered by six turboprop engines to the final prototype YB52 with eight turbojet engines and swept wings. The B52 took its maiden flight in April 1952. Built to carry nuclear weapons for Cold Warera deterrence missions, the B52 Stratofortress replaced the Convair B36 Peacemaker. A veteran of several wars, the B52 has dropped only conventional munitions in combat. The B52's official name Stratofortress is rarely used; informally, the aircraft has become commonly referred to as the BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fucker/Fella).

The B52 has been in service with the USAF since 1955. As of June 2019, there are 76 aircraft in inventory; 58 operated by active forces (2nd Bomb Wing and 5th Bomb Wing), 18 by reserve forces (307th Bomb Wing), and about 12 in longterm storage at the DavisMonthan AFB Boneyard. The bombers flew under the Strategic Air Command (SAC) until it was disestablished in 1992 and its aircraft absorbed into the Air Combat Command (ACC); in 2010, all B52 Stratofortresses were transferred from the ACC to the new Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). Superior performance at high subsonic speeds and relatively low operating costs have kept them in service despite the advent of later, more advanced strategic bombers, including the Mach 2+ B58 Hustler, the canceled Mach 3 B70 Valkyrie, the variablegeometry B1 Lancer, and the stealth B2 Spirit. The B52 completed 60 years of continuous service with its original operator in 2015. After being upgraded between 2013 and 2015, the last airplanes are expected to serve into the 2050s.

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