The B-52 Stratofortress, America's most prolific strategic bomber, continues to serve as a cornerstone of US airpower nearly 70 years after its first operational deployment in 1955.

Of the 744 aircraft originally built, 76 remain in active US Air Force (USAF) service.

The long-range bomber proved so formidable during the Cold War that US B-52 capabilities were a key factor in the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) negotiations.

Its deterrent effect helped pressure Moscow into agreeing to deep cuts in its own strategic arsenal.

Payload capabilities

The B-52H Stratofortress is the current and only operational variant of the long-serving B-52 bomber in USAF inventory.

It can transport up to 70,000 pounds of nuclear and conventional ordnance, including mines, precision-guided and Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), enabling precise, powerful strikes.

Its flexible design accommodates weapons on wing pylons, in the bomb bay, and center fuselage. The aircraft can carry up to 20 air-launched cruise missiles.

The Stratofortress supports the full spectrum of Air Force weapons, including smart and laser-guided bombs, conventional gravity bombs, cluster munitions, and advanced precision-guided systems.

Maritime strike role

The aircraft is also able to support naval operations, capable of transporting and launching AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles as well as the stealthy, 450kg AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Munitions (JASSMs).

A distinctive capability of the Stratofortress is mine warfare. It can accompany the US Navy on mine-laying operations and surveil vast swaths of ocean.

The B-52H can deploy QuickStrike and QuickStrike-Extended Range mines, which are aircraft-laid, shallow-water munitions intended for use against surface ships and submarines.

The Mark 62 and Mark 63 versions are converted 500lb and 1,000lb bombs, respectively, while the Mark 65 is a 2,000lb thin-walled mine case for shallow-water deployment against surface and subsurface threats.

The modified bombs are equipped with acoustic, magnetic, and seismic sensors to detect passing ships and submarines.

Missile haul

Missile carriage remains central to the B-52's role. The aircraft carries up to 20 AGM-86B/C/D Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missiles (CALCMs) -- six on each of two external pylons and eight within an internal rotary launcher.

It also supports AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship and AGM-142 Raptor missiles, which afford maritime strike options.

It can carry internal stealthy long-range cruise weapons and anti-radiation AGM-88 HARM missiles targeting enemy air defenses, as well as Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOW) and laser-guided smart bombs.

Its payload can accommodate 20 AGM-158 JASSM or their extended range variant (JASSM-ER), with a combination of internal and wing-mounted carriage.

The JASSM is a stealthy, precision-guided cruise missile designed to strike high-value, heavily defended targets from far distances.

The upcoming B-52J variant will feature upgraded Rolls-Royce F130 engines, new radar systems, and modernized cockpits, ensuring the platform remains viable into the 2050s.

Plans include integration of hypersonic weapons, further enhancing the aircraft's strike capabilities.

The B-52's unmatched versatility and payload capacity make it the force of choice when multiple targets across multiple locations require rapid destruction.