Pounds of Ordinance and It Bombed Iran: The US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress Bomber Went Into Service All the Way Back in 1961 and There Is a Certain Magic That Keeps It Still Flying Today

The U.S. Air Force’s B-52H Stratofortress variant entered service in 1961 and remains in use, largely because the airframe is still meeting mission needs. Designed for long-range strategic bombing, the bomber can carry more than 70,000 lbs of ordnance in internal bays and external hardpoints. Its eight Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofans support a range of 7,600 nautical miles, extending past 8,000 when refueled. Unlike earlier concepts, it has been repeatedly upgraded to deploy modern weapons, including JDAM-guided bombs and missiles such as AGM-158 JASSM, enabling stand-off operations.