| Weapons
of War: U.S.
Bombers America's bomber force spans the conventionally-designed, reliable B-52 to highly sophisticated, cutting-edge stealth technology. Dedicated bombers offer high bomb carrying capacity, extremely long-range and precision attack capability. Due to their relatively large size and slow speed they typically drop their weapons from high altitudes. |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
| Primary role | ||||||
| Long-range, high-altitude heavy bomber | Long-range heavy bomber | Low-range stealth bomber | Multi-role altitude strategic stealth bomber. | |||
| Entered service | ||||||
| 1961 | 1986 | 1989 | 1982 | |||
| Length | ||||||
| 157 feet, 7 inches | 147 feet | 69 feet | 65 feet 11 inches | |||
| Wingspan | ||||||
| 185 feet | 136 feet 8 1/2 inches | 172 feet | 45 feet 4 inches | |||
| Speed | ||||||
| 595 mph | 826 mph | Approx. 650 - 740 mph | 645 mph | |||
| Max. altitude | ||||||
| 55,000 feet | 60,000 feet | 50,000 feet | Not available | |||
| Max. range* | ||||||
| 8,800 nautical miles | 5,600 nautical miles | 6,300 nautical miles | 570 nautical miles | |||
| Armament | ||||||
| Cruise
missiles; Harpoon anti-ship missiles; bombs |
Cruise missiles; bombs; cluster bomblets | Cruise missiles; guided bombs; cluster bomblets | Air-to-air missiles; cruise missiles; guided bombs | |||
| *Unrefueled range | ||||||
| SOURCES: Associated Press, Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide; Periscope | ||||||