B-52 Stratofortress Bomber

                      In a conventional conflict, the B-52 can perform air prohibition, offensive counter-air and maritime operations. During Desert Storm, B-52s delivered 40 percent of all the weapons dropped by coalition forces. It is highly effective when used for ocean surveillance, and can assist the U.S. Navy in anti-ship and mine-laying operations. Two B-52s, in two hours, can monitor 140,000 square miles (364,000 square kilometers) of ocean surface. All B-52s are equipped with an electro-optical viewing system that uses platinum silicide forward-looking infrared and high resolution low-light-level television sensors to augment the targeting, battle assessment, flight safety and terrain-avoidance system, thus further improving its combat ability and low-level flight capability. The Pilots wear Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) to improve their night visual, low-level terrain-avoidance operations. Night vision goggles provide greater safety through night operations by increasing the pilot's ability to visually plain terrain and keep away from enemy radar. Starting in 1989, an on-going modification incorporates the global positioning system, heavy stores adapter beams for carrying 2,000 pound munitions and additional smart weapons potential.

The use of aerial refueling gives the B-52 a range limited only by crew endurance. It has an UN-refueled combat range in excess of 8,800 miles (14,080 kilometers).

The aircraft's flexibility was evident during the Vietnam War and, again, in Operation Desert Storm. B-52s struck wide-area troop concentrations, fixed installations and bunkers, and decimated the morale of Iraq's Republican Guard. The Gulf War involved the longest strike mission in the history of aerial warfare when B-52s took off from Barksdale Air Force Base, LA; launched conventional air launched cruise missiles and returned to Barksdale a 35-hour, non-stop combat mission.