B-52s were developed during the Cold War years with the aim of carrying nuclear bombs to the territory of the USSR. It made its first flight on April 15, 1952. It has been used in the US Air Force since 1954, replacing the B-36 Peacemaker and B-50 Superfortress aircraft. Known as "Buff" in the US Air Force. They are used effectively to bombard large areas without high accuracy by using simple unguided conventional bombs called carpet bombing. Most of the bombs in the Gulf War were dropped by B-52s. While its payload is less than the B-1B Lancer (about half), its range is slightly longer.

On January 18, 1957, 3 B-52Bs flew non-stop around the world, setting a record. This flight took 49 hours and 19 minutes and was refueled 3 times in the air.

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is an American long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, which has continued to provide support and upgrades. It has been operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) since the 1950s. The bomber is capable of carrying up to 70,000 pounds (32,000 kg) of weapons,[2] and has a typical combat range of around 8,800 miles (14,080 km) without aerial refueling.

Beginning with the successful contract bid in June 1946, the B-52 design evolved from a straight wing aircraft powered by six turboprop engines to the final prototype YB-52 with eight turbojet engines and swept wings. The B-52 took its maiden flight in April 1952. Built to carry nuclear weapons for Cold War–era deterrence missions, the B-52 Stratofortress replaced the Convair B-36 Peacemaker. A veteran of several wars, the B-52 has dropped only conventional munitions in combat. The B-52's official name Stratofortress is rarely used; informally, the aircraft has become commonly referred to as the BUFF (Big Ugly Fat