The B-52 Bomber from years ago has been used in many roles. The bomber is capable of carrying up to 70,000 pounds of weapons, and has a typical combat range of more than 8,800 miles without aerial refueling. A long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber designed and built by Boeing, it has provided support and been upgraded many time over since it began operations with the U.S. Air Force in the 1950s. Now the famous B-52H Stratofortress bomber has a new role, as a close air support (CAS) aircraft.
Close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary-winged aircraft against hostile targets which are in close proximity to friendly forces and require detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces. However, it doesn’t always require the aircraft to be close to the ground, as is the case with the B-52.
In this video, the aircraft is shown on its way to such a mission, while the crew talks about its newfound purpose. It has to be great for ground troops to know that such a beast is high up on the sky ready to back you up whenever needed.
Check it out:
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