B-52 Stratofortress crew size explained as bomber marks decades of service
An explainer looks at how many personnel are needed to operate the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, a bomber that entered service in the 1950s and remains in the US Air Force fleet.
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress first flew in 1952 and still flies front-line missions for the United States Air Force.
Its size suggests a large crew is needed to get it airborne. Eight engines, a span of 185 feet (56.4 metres), and range enough to cross continents raise the question of how many people actually fly it.
The answer says as much about the aircraft's original design as about the upgrades fitted over the years. The US Air Force intends to keep the type in service for many more years, a plan shaped by how the bomber was built and how it has since been modernised.
Sources
- simpleflying.comHow Many Crew Members Does It Take To Fly A B-52 Stratofortress?