B-52- America's Cold War Workhorse

During World War II, the United States Air Force had seen the advantage of a long-range strategic bombing campaign. They realized that with enough mass production they could overwhelm the enemy with bombers to destroy highly valuable targets deep behind enemy lines. At the every of the war, the US Air Force, then the Air Army Corp, issued an order to develop to develop a long-range strategic bomber for the post World War II world. The plan called for a 6 engine, propeller powered, straight-winged aircraft. But then in 1948, at a bar in Dayton, Boeing Chief Engineer Ed Wells, told the design team to scrap their design. They decided to move the plan in a different direction. Ed Wells called for a bigger, better bomber. One that was all-jet powered and had the capability to reach the USSR from bases located deep inside the United States.

The Air Material Command of the Air Force was blown away from the prototype and, as things began to worsen in Korea, purchased 13 B-52s. The first B-52 became operational in 1954. But, after the production of just 3 B-52As, the Air Force wanted an upgrade, and thus, production switched over to the B-52B. In total, 744 B-52s were to be produced by Boeing, with the B-52H being the last and final production model.

Although the B-52 was not able to fight in the war that it was designed for, Korea, the bomber became a centerpiece of America's nuclear strategy. Under the guidance of SAC, Strategic Air Command, the B-52 flew around clock on a route which, if called upon at any point, could strike deep within the Soviet Union. These bombers carried between 10-20 nuclear bombs at all times. They flew around at high altitude serving as a quick response option in case the Soviet Union attacked.

Fortunately, the B-52 was used for its intended mission. Instead, the B-52 saw its first action in the massive bombing campaigns of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The B-52s were first called upon for Operation Rolling Thunder and saw combat action for the first time in Operation Arc Light. During the latter operation, 30 B-52s flew and attacked a Communists stronghold in Ben Cat District. As the war continued to escalate, Air planners called for upgrades to the bomber. All B-52s went under the Big Belly modifications, which increased their payload by 20,000 pounds. This allowed the B-52 to carry out heavy carpet bombing operations in Vietnam. Though the US lost the war, the B-52 operations were considered somewhat successful would become the main piece in future American military action.

In fact, the B-52 would serve in almost all future US combat operations. From the Gulf War to the Bosnian Intervention to Afghanistan and Iraq, the B-52 would be the mainstay, packing America's military might where ever it flew. But even the newest bombers are 64 years old and are becoming increasingly outdated and limited every single year. Henceforth, the United States is currently developing a new, state of the art, stealthy bomber that will replace the infamous B-52 Stratofortress: the B-21 Raider.

http://www.boeing.com/history/products/b-52-stratofortress.page
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_B-52_Stratofortress#Vietnam_War