Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the strategic bombers category.
01 / Overview
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
Category
Country
Production
1955–1962
Quantity
744
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
STRATEGIC BOMBERS · EARLY COLD WAR
9
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
82
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the strategic bombers category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1952
- Service Entry Year1955
- Crew5
- Primary RoleStrategic heavy bomber
- Generation1st Generation
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant6MOD.6
- Engine TypePratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103
- Engine ModelPratt & Whitney TF33
- Number of Engines8
- AfterburnerNo
- SupercruiseNo
- Thrust VectoringNo
▣Performance6MOD.6
- Top Speed1,045.98 km/h
- Cruise Speed818.513 km/h
- Service Ceiling15,240 m
- Ferry Range16,323.305 km
- Combat Radius8,800 km
- Rate of Climb31.852 m/s
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Length48.463 m
- Wingspan56.388 m
- Height12.192 m
- Wing Area371.612
- Empty Weight83,916 kg
- Loaded Weight120,204 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight221,356.8 kg
◆Armament7MOD.7
- Weapons Payload31,751 kg
- Internal Gun1 × 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan cannon originally mounted in a remote-controlled tail turret on the H-model, removed in
- Internal Weapons BayYes
- Air-to-Air MissilesNo
- Air-to-Ground MissilesYes
- Anti-Ship MissilesYes
- Nuclear CapableYes
▤Avionics & Stealth7MOD.7
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Built744
- Operators2
- Variants18
▲Service History3MOD.3
- Production Start1952
- Production End1962
- Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1955Production started
- 1962Production ended
71
years in service
7
years in production
744
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
BOEING B-52 STRATOFORTRESS · CONFLICTS SERVED IN67% win
Total Conflicts
3
Victories
2
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
2003–2011Iraq WarDecisive victory→2001–2014Operation Enduring Freedom—→1955–1975Vietnam WarDecisive victory→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
// DERIVATIVES
07 / MASS Score
STRATEGIC BOMBERS RANKING Strategic Bombers · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
17STRATEGIC BOMBERS9EARLY COLD WAR · STRATEGIC BOMBERS383UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS19PERFORMANCE/PRICE · STRATEGIC BOMBERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theStrategic Bomberscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE7terms
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles designed to engage and destroy naval vessels. They are typically used by aircraft, ships, or submarines to attack enemy ships.
A collection of integrated electronic systems on a military aircraft designed to detect, identify, disrupt, or deceive enemy radar, communications, and guided weapons.
An internal compartment within a military aircraft designed to store and deploy weapons, reducing radar cross-section and aerodynamic drag.
Relating to or using nuclear energy, typically fission, for propulsion or power generation in military vessels.
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
A targeting pod is an external sensor module mounted on aircraft that provides laser designation, infrared imaging, and range‑finding to support precision strike and reconnaissance.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources