Boeing's mighty B-52 Stratofortress has seen continuous operational
service with the United States Air Force since the type was introduced
in 1957. The aircraft has been upgraded several times and has assumed
many different new roles since it was originally conceived and then
provided the key airborne platform for America's strategic nuclear
force. It is predicted that it will serve as a front-line aircraft until
2040.
Apart from the formidable threat it provided during the long years of
the 'Cold War', the aircraft has played a significant part in all US
overseas operations since Vietnam. The more recent include Desert Storm
in 1991, the Balkan conflict, Afghanistan and the liberation of Iraq.
Over 700 were built and around 80 remain in service. This book includes
chapters on Concept Requirement, Design and Development, Production,
Evolution and Variant Models, Operational Tasking, Operational History
(with firsthand accounts from crews), Weapons and Equipment Carried,
Flying the Aircraft and Current Service Operations. It is highly
illustrated with many original shots taken aboard B-52s, together with
archive material and color profiles.