On 23 November 1945, Air Materiel Command (AMC) issued desired performance characteristics for a new strategic bomber "capable of carrying out the strategic mission without dependence upon adva… See more

The B-52 shared many technological similarities with the preceding B-47 Stratojet strategic bomber. The two aircraft used the same basic design, such as swept wings and podded jet engines, and the cabin inclu… See more

Although the B-52A was the first production variant, these aircraft were used only in testing. The first operational version was the B-52B which had been developed in parallel with the prototypes since 1951. First flying in De… See more

United States
• United States Air Force operates 72 aircraft of the original 744 B-52 aircraft as of 2022.
• NASA See more

List of incidents resulting in loss of life, severe injuries, or loss of aircraft.
• In 1956, there were three crashes in eight months, all at Castle Air Force Base.
• The fourth crash occurred 42 days later on 10 January 19… See more