"B-52" - bomber released the American Boeing Corporation in the 50s of the last century.It was originally developed for the delivery of two thermonuclear bombs to anywhere in the Soviet Union.To this day remains the primary aircraft in the arsenal of long-range aviation of the Air Force of America.
History
B-52 Stratofortress - military brainchild of one of the largest aircraft manufacturing corporations in the world - the American Boeing Company.In the Russian language, its full name is translated as "air castle".Its development began in the 1950s when the company began production of the second generation of military aircraft, namely bombers.The aircraft was designed to replace two obsolete models: B-36 and B-47.The author of the first model was the company Convair, the second - Boeing.
US authorities decided to replace the piston bombers and announced a competition among the design offices to create strategic jet aircraft.The contest was announced after the end of World War II in 1946.The competition was attended by three companies - joined to the already named Douglas.It should be noted that while none of the senior military leadership did not believe in the possibility of a heavy jet aircraft, but still with a range exceeding 13 thous. Km.Nevertheless, scientists, designers and business people enthusiastically began to refute these prejudices.Their task was to create not just a bomber and strategic missile and Outbound.
Getting to the problem, everyone knew how to become "B-52" (bomber).How was this brand new aircraft for its time, what guided the inventors?Company Convair, taking as a basis a piston B-36, believed to achieve objectives through the installation of jet engines and wings in the form of arrows.The second participant, Douglas, has designed an entirely new car, which feature would become turboprop engines.Boeing decided to work with them to set medium bomber B-47 and improve its performance to a strategic level.
Construction Company Boeing
The group, which was engaged in the development of the project under the working title "Model 464", included six leading specialists, which practically in the same part of working on the B-47.The group began a preliminary design of the aircraft, "B-52".Bomber, the characteristics of which were much higher than those that were in airplanes, the company created earlier, demanded new approaches and solutions.In particular, it was clear that the required mileage of the flight, as well as the estimated weight of 4.5 tons of weapons entail an increase in the take-off weight of the machine up to 150 tons.This is twice the rate of the previous generation aircraft.In addition, the speed, according to the statement, should reach 960 km / h.
To achieve the objectives the company began using turbojets J-57.Their thrust was 3.4 tons.It was decided to establish eight such engines.Combined in four sets, they were mounted on the wings of the aircraft with the help of the huge pylons, appeared before the wings.At the same time for maximum longitudinal stability of the aircraft keel constructed high enough.For fuel, the amount of which was to be sufficient for an intercontinental flight, increase the space inside the wing to the area of ​​371.6 sq.m.
developed by the US authorities granted the corporation "Boeing", "B-52".American bomber was approved in 1947, and the company received the state order, signing a contract for two prototypes.
Tests
first prototype, which was given the military designation of "XB-52", was prepared at the end of November 1951.However, the car is ready for the first test, it managed to damage.In order not to damage the reputation of the company, we decided not to call the true reasons for the return of the aircraft to the plant.Suspension tests have explained the need to install additional equipment.As a result, the right of first flight was transferred to the second machine, designated by the military as "YB-52".It was completed in mid-March 1952.
In mid-April, began flight tests of "B-52".The bomber was fitted with a so-called cycling gear type, which is a rather curious design.The chassis is a four-wheeled rack (in the fuselage of the aircraft equipped with a separate niche for each of them), were equipped with hydraulic control and machine deceleration.In addition, the designers removed the dependence on weather conditions the machine during takeoff and landing so that the wheels of the chassis design allows you to set them at an angle to the central axis of the body of the aircraft.Thus, getting information about wind speed and direction, the pilots, using the table of calculations could arrange the wheel so that the aircraft was moving sideways during the run of the strip.It is this technical feature has attracted the attention of the public during an official of the performance two years later.
When the test is finished, the machine officially received the name "B-52 Stratofortress", which meant "air castle".However, the experience of test pilots special enthusiasm did not differ.A lot of trouble during flight delivered the fuel tanks in the wings cavities - they are constantly leaking.I have iskhitryatsya to eliminate leakage during flights.
Many questions aroused the crew ejection system: is it safe to leave the plane by catapult was only possible with a height of three hundred meters.The shooter was located in the rear, in his cabin were installed toilet and elektropechka.During the flight of arrows it was virtually isolated from the crew and kept with him only radio.Accordingly, if it is refused, the expert had no idea what was happening to the plane.Once this has led to the mishap, "B-52".The bomber while flying in a thunderstorm was in a downward flow of air.The shooter, decided that the plane falls, ejected, and the machine gun was forced to throw the installation.His absence pilots found already on the ground.
Serial modification
"B-52" bomber Stratofortress, stood up on the conveyor belt in 1955.First released a series of modifications - "B-52A" - entered the strategic aircraft in June.Aircraft used for training crews, as well as for testing of aircraft refueling in the air.After a short time out "B-52B".Total released fifty aircraft of this modification.Machines in this series have been fully prepared for combat missions with conventional and nuclear weapons on board.To do this, they manned the more advanced engine with a thrust of 4.62 thous. Tons sighting and navigation system.To demonstrate the power of the B-52 (bomber) went round the world non-stop in flight, en route imitated shot a nuclear strike.
The demonstration raid involved six aircraft, which rose to the sky from the airport military base Castle (California) in the hour of the day January 16, 1957.During the trip a total length of 39.2 thousand. Km "B-52" strategic bomber had to undergo the procedure of refueling (in August), and four times.However, not all aircraft managed to make their way.Within hours, a missile made a forced landing in England.Sudden engine failure was the cause of the failure of another plane that crash landed in Labrador.The remaining three cars later incomplete two days landed at the air base not far from Los Angeles.Due to bad weather at the destination they arrived half an hour later.
itineraries including a flight over Newfoundland, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Ceylon, Malaysia (located here conditional military objective), the Philippines, Guam and the base of Castle, took 45 hours 19 minutes.The flight took place at a variable height 10,7-15,2 thousand. Meters at a speed of 865 km / h.When approaching the conventional combat target speed has been increased to 965 km / h.Refueling planes was performed during the flight over the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, Saudi Arabia and the Philippines.To enhance the effect refueling took place both day and night and in all weather conditions.Before starting the missile was lowered height, the speed in this case was 400-480 km / h.
It is worth noting that the first circumnavigation flight was made by plane "B-50" in 1949 and took 94 hours.
on airplanes of the third series - "B-52C" - put even greater traction engines - 5.4 tons.In all there were 35 cars in 1956.By replacing pneumatic starters on the powder failed five times to reduce the period of the plant all engines - with half an hour to six minutes.In addition, expanded opportunities to use weapons.On the "B-52" (bomber, missile) established new strategic cruise missiles, codenamed "Hound Dog" (hound dog).When departing on combat alert in order to reduce the length of the takeoff the pilots could be used as a booster turbojets missiles.Then, during the flight of the rocket tanks refueled.
losses
In the early 1960s, has begun to use aircraft for the intended purpose."B-52" - bomber sverhalny missile - designed to deliver nuclear weapons in any part of the Soviet Union.We began the first tentative reconnaissance flights along the borders of the USSR.It is understood that the accident of the plane, packed with nuclear warheads, could easily arrange another Hiroshima.Meanwhile, the emergency situation "B-52" cases with surprising regularity.Accidents involving nuclear weapons are code-named "Broken Arrow."Most of these aircraft accidents occurred over the United States, as well as in the sky friendly countries.
So, in 1958 there was the first accident in the state of North Carolina, where the pilot mistakenly threw a bomb on the roof of a house.As a result of shrapnel wounding six people.In 1961 in the same state he had fallen aircraft struck the bomb collapsed.A year later, in the same state in Goldsboro bomber dropped two missiles such as "Hound Dog."
first tragedy outside the United States occurred in 1966, when a patrol submarine collided with "KC-135" in the sky over Spain.One rocket fell into the Mediterranean Sea, three more fell village of Palomares.Because triggered detonator whole town was infected with plutonium.Last formally promulgated the accident occurred off the coast of Greenland in 1968, when the burning plane fell short of the airfield and crashed to the bottom of the bay.The result turned out to be infected with an area of ​​six square kilometers.
last modification
From 1956 to 1983, created five modifications.Series "B-52D" was issued in the amount of 101 aircraft.In this series, shortened keel, and improved sight system.The following modifications - E - released only one hundred aircraft.It reinforced the wing.In addition, the designers have installed equipment that allows you to fly at low altitudes.More efficient engines have been installed on the series F, which included the 89 planes.One of them turned out to be a tragic fate.In 1961, during the exercise were worked conditional attack fighter aircraft series "B-52F".The fighter pilot mistakenly fired a missile and shot down a bomber.All three crew members were killed.After this episode, the aircraft took off with such exercises.
largest number of submarines came in the next series of "B-52".Bombers modification G released in the amount of 193 pieces for four years since 1958.Engine thrust was increased to 6.34 tons, were added more spacious tanks of jet fuel.The last series - H - was produced until 1962, only 102 came out of the plane.Traction engines was already 7.71 tons.Fuel efficiency has increased the flight distance of 2.7 thousand. Km - to 16.7 thousand. Km.This aircraft set a world record for the number of flight hours without refueling: 20.17 thousand. Km has been overcome in 22 hours and 9 minutes.And in 2006, this modification missile flew seven o'clock on synthetic fuels.
From 1965 to 1984 planes of series B / C / D / F "B-52" were retired US Army.With the end of the Cold War that resulted from the collapse of the Soviet Union, they were removed from combat duty.Thus, by 1992 the army left 159 missile modifications of G and H. The agreements in the field of arms from Russia total resulted in a reduction of these bombers.In 2008, the remaining H-Series machines also started to reduce.At this point in the army were 68 missile, which will be in service until 2040.It may be that these planes will become champions for the duration of use.Bombers participated in virtually every US military clashes.
Features
"B-52" - a jet strategic bomber, equipped with eight engines.He piloted six crew members.Among the main technical characteristics can be called a wingspan of 56.39 meters which is a hull - 49.05 meters, height - 12.4 meters.If the last modification was achieved take-off weight to 221.5 tons.Thrust of each engine is 7.71 tons.Distance acceleration of the aircraft is equal to 2.9 thousand. Meters.The maximum speed that develops bomber is 1013 km / h.It has a radius of hostilities in 7730 kilometers.
aboard missile mounted six-barreled 20-mm gun, which is located in the tail of the aircraft."Air Fortress" is designed to combat load of up to 31.5 tons of bombs.In addition, the missile is equipped with the most modern equipment for the successful conduct electronic warfare.In particular, it established machinery noise and interference misleading, chaff and infrared instruments traps.
Earlier this year, US officials released information about the new modifications "B-52".The bomber, which was characterized by a system reset point throwing only on the external sling shells, now equipped with a "smart" system.As follows from the official statement, precision-guided munitions will now be placed in the bomb bay.Installation of the new system will increase the capacity of the aircraft at least 50%.In addition, it will remove the "smart" bombs from the external suspension, which will reduce fuel consumption by 15%, as well as help to maintain the confidentiality of information about the enemy, what kind of weapon carries bomber.
contract worth 24.6 million dollars, Boeing received at the beginning of last year.It is planned that the new system will be put into service as early as 2016.Also in the plans of the military to accommodate the "B-52" under the drones.
Aviation "grandfathers"
American "B-52" - bomber, who from the first day of existence constantly was compared with the Soviet strategic aircraft of the same class of the Tu-95.Experts military aviation, both aircraft dubbed "Grandpa long-range aviation."Both cars are made in the Air Force of both countries for over 60 years, undergoing a regular modernization.Russian rival the US military is called, as it is banal, bear.The debate about whose car is better, and for some indicators, continue to this day.Military experts point out that both planes have been an evolutionary path from the simple to the strategic bomber missile.Cars are similar and a number of other features, for example, both the flight range exceeding ten thousand kilometers.Moreover, the territory of the enemy is achieved by both machines in any form, not even in a straight line movement.At the same time, the high speed developing American "B-52".Bomber in comparison with TU-95 accelerated to 1 thousand. Km / h, the maximum speed "carcass" reaches 850 km / h.
However, there are a number of characteristics, which greatly exceeds the domestic car of its overseas rivals.These indicators, in particular, to the increased efficiency of engines - at least twice.According to experts, in the flight range of 10-12 thousand. Km of an American bomber "B-52" spends 160-170 tons of aviation fuel, while the Russian aircraft at the same distance will take only 80 tons.
Domestic experts in military affairs and unflattering comments about the engines.According to them, the Tu-95 advantage is that all four engines are equipped with contra-rotating propellers.Thus, their reliability they provide domestic missile superiority over the "B-52".
