swilliam@dtoa1.dt.navy.mil (Williams) (02/04/91)
From: swilliam@dtoa1.dt.navy.mil (Williams) The B-52 Engineered To Endure Condensed from an article in the MECHANICAL ENGINEERING issue, January 1990 Part 3 of 3 Heavy Artillery --------------- Through the years, the B-52's mission and thus the weapons it carries have changed. These changes have required more modifications beyond those required to merely keep the B-52 flying. The first major change in mission came with the B-52's nine-year involvement in Southeast Asia that began in 1965. At first, B-52Fs able to carry "iron bombs" were used. However, they were limited in both the number of aircraft available and the bomb load they could carry (51 750-pound bombs). As a result, the B-52D was fitted to carry a much larger bomb load in the "Big Belly" modification program. After modification, the B-52D could carry 84 500-pound or 42 750-pound bombs internally and another 24 500- or 750-pound bombs externally from pylon racks on the wings. The modified B-52D still had the capability to carry nuclear bombs and was given the ability to carry the GBU-15 "smart bomb" that uses an onboard TV camera to guide it to its target. The Quail, used from 1960 to 1978, was the first missile to be carried by the B-52. Up to four of these missiles could be launched from a B-52 to confuse enemy defense. Even though it was only 13 feet long, it looked like a B-52 on a radar screen and was programmed to fly at the same speed and altitude, performing the same low-level maneuvers as a penetrating B-52. A much more potent missile was the Hound Dog carried by B-52s between 1961 and 1976. This supersonic air-to-surface missile had a 700-mile range, allowing it to be used as a standoff nuclear weapon. A B-52G or H could carry two Hound Dogs beneath its wings. An interesting feature was that thrust from the missile's turbojet engine could be used to help the B-52 take off with the Hound Dog's fuel tanks replenished from the B-52. The B-52 can carry as many as 20 nuclear-tipped SRAM (Short Range Attack Missiles), six on each wing pylon and another eight in the bomb bay. B-52s started being equipped with SRAMs in 1972. The SRAM has a range of 30 to 100 miles depending on the altitude and flies at hypersonic speeds virtually undetected because of its very small radar cross section. The most complex weapon carried by the B-52 is the Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM). The ALCM is a small, unmanned subsonic aircraft. After launch, it is propelled by a small turbofan engine to ranges of up to 1500 miles using a combination of inertial guidance and terrain contour matching to guide it to its target. All the B-52Hs are currently being modified to carry 12 ALCMs externally and another 8 internally. In addition, 98 B-52Gs are already carrying 12 ALCMs externally. Thirty B-52Gs have also been modified to carry eight Harpoon antiship missiles in support of the Navy. B-52s are also capable of performing sea surveillance, minelaying, and antisurface warfare operations. To The Future ------------- Though the B-1 and the B-2 stealth bomber will take over some of the B-52's tasks, the B-52's are far from over. At their peak in 1962, there were 639 B-52s on active duty. Today, the USAF still has some 167 B-52Gs and 95 B-52Hs in service with the Strategic Air Command. Beside its strategic nuclear-deterrent role using SRAMs and ALCMs, the B-52 still represents the Air Force's most capable conventional bomb carrier. Indeed, the USAF is now thinking of converting the B-52G fleet for conventional missions. In a proposed $3 billion program, the bomber will get upgraded electrical, computer, and electronic countermeasure equipment, plus a navigation system that uses the Global Position Satellite system. These B-52s would be equipped with standoff munitions as well as HARM and Tacit Rainbow antiradar missiles for destroying enemy air defense systems. B-52G crew have already started extensive training in conventional tactics. Other studies have looked at refitting the B-52s with more modern turbofan engines such as those used on jumbo airliners or using B-52s in an electronic warfare role. Though none of these ideas are currently funded, and may not be because of the tight defense budgets, it is clear that the well-engineered BUFFs will be flying for years to come. (BUFF stands for Big Ugly Fat Fellow, a nickname the B-52 picked up during the Vietnam War.)