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+ Convair B-58 Hustler, the canceled Mach 3 North American XB-70 Valkyrie, the variable-geometry Rockwell B-1 Lancer, and the stealth Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit. 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 B-52 Stratofortresses were transferred from the ACC to the new Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). 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 long-term storage at the Davis-Monthan AFB Boneyard.
![bomber crew positions bomber crew positions](http://i0.wp.com/aircrashsites.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Cutaway.jpg)
The B-52 has been in service with the USAF since 1955.
![bomber crew positions bomber crew positions](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/aogAAOSwmcFbxlsV/s-l400.jpg)
The B-52's official name Stratofortress is rarely used informally, the aircraft has become commonly referred to as the BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fucker/Fella). A veteran of several wars, the B-52 has dropped only conventional munitions in combat. Built to carry nuclear weapons for Cold War-era deterrence missions, the B-52 Stratofortress replaced the Convair B-36 Peacemaker. The B-52 took its maiden flight in April 1952. īeginning with the successful contract bid in June 1946, the B-52 design evolved from a straight wing aircraft powered by six turboprop engines to the final prototype YB-52 with eight turbojet engines and swept wings. The bomber is capable of carrying up to 70,000 pounds (32,000 kg) of weapons, and has a typical combat range of around 8,800 miles (14,080 km) without aerial refueling.
![bomber crew positions bomber crew positions](http://www.zianet.com/tmorris/B-36FIIforward.gif)
It has been operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) since the 1950s. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, which has continued to provide support and upgrades. The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is an American long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber.