The Boeing B-52 bo.mber is one of the most iconic aircraft in history. It was first developed back in the 1950s, when it was intended to drop b0mbs over potential Cold War targets. Since then it has served as a strategic b0mber and a reconnaissance plane.
Not only is it one of the oldest still serving aircraft in the United States Arsenal but it’s the longest running continually manufactured plane in the Boeing portfolio at 159 feet long, 185 feet from wingtip to wingtip and 185000 pounds empty, the B-52 is a truly massive machine.
And since its weight can reach over 488000 pounds when fully fueled and loaded. Engineers have long had to come up with unique ways to get this behemoth into the air and to bring it to a safe stop.
On average, it takes about an hour to get a B-52 warmed up and ready to fly. Considering this particular b0mber was designed to answer thermonuclear threats such a long prep time proved quite problematic for U.S military Commanders. Watch video below to see the important roles that parachutes plan in bringing aircraft to a stop and bringing personnel and cargo safely to the ground.
