What is this aircraft?

This is a B-52, most probably the D or E model from the tail design.

The original B-52 was introduced on August 5th, 1954 and has been in the USAF inventory as a nuclear delivery platform during the Cold war, and a heavy bomber during Vietnam. Although over 60 years old, the B-52 has been modified from A to H stages of development. Upgrades are still being applied to the B-52H.

The B-52H, known as "Buff" to its crews, is projected to be a staple in the inventory for the next 10 years. There are currently 65 aircraft on active duty, with 11 in reserve.

The B-52H deployed to the Middle East in early 2016, delivering intense bombing support before ground assaults against ISIS.

Over 600 B-52s were dismantled and cut up at Davis Monthan AFB, in Tucson AZ in accordance with the provisions of Salt II.

The B-57 Martin Canberra was a twin engine combat bomber used extensively in Vietnam for close air support, painted black and known as a night fighter, delivering both bombs and air to ground missiles.

The B-70 Valkyrie was an experimental Mach 3 Supersonic nuclear delivery platform first introduced in 1965. Although it was state of the art, it was prone to defensive threats.

The B-21 is still in the theoretical and design stages and will replace the B-52 sometime in the mid 2020s. It will be a zig-zag shape similar to the B2, very difficult to be identified by radar, and be able to strike anywhere in the world from the United States.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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86 Comments

marknkhamilton

It was Waaaaay to Easy for me, I have been an Aviation nut since 8 years old,Had my student Pilot Licence at 16 years old in Alaska. Little known fact --> there are more Airplanes -Per -Capita in Alaska than any where in the World!! :O :O :) ;P

Bill Coe

Are you too much of a gentleman to explain why they call it a BUFF? The military love their acronyms and it stands for Big Ugly Flying F***er.

kotakat

I am a SAC weenie since 1971. I was an AGE mechanic then a Historian. My Husband was a weapons systems leader. The BUF is my bird! Even have a silhouette on my back windshield. I don't care what people say, the B52 is still the backbone of the USAF!

Rodney Robinson

Easy for me, had over 2000 hrs in the Tail Compartment

daproske

Really enjoy plane people, so informative!

Spencer

cut paste

svlindsey

Air Force watched them take off at Andersen AFB, Guam.

Yevette Allen

Got it

ericteigen

Tammy Barnhill Lawson, me too.

Melissa LaRocca

This happens With every game...I will answer a few questions and then everything freezes up...like this game but will not play again

robert karel

High flying long ranger!

Don Curtis Latimer

I love those those old B-52 bombers. My dad was a bombarder instructor in the WWII times. Norton bomb site, top secret and all that jazz.

Stanley Howard Jr.

One of the easiest questions I've had to answer. I am a retired USAF officer and I flew of over 2,000 hours in the B-52D from 1974 to 1983, and the answer to Bill Coe's question, BUFF means big ugly fat flyer. Also, when the KC-135 talked about how great their bird was, all you had to do was ask how far they could fly with 4 engines out. In Vietnam, they could clear the enemy out of area by making the radio call "Heavy artillery inbound", which meant B-52s were inbound.