L'anno del B-52 .....

[Vultur]

Abitacolo anteriore dell'YB-52. Non saprei quale avesse aerodinamica e visuale migliore forse questo. gli strumenti dei motori sono quattro per parte. L'impostazione è simile a quella del B-47, non molto comoda e non molto amata dagli equipaggi nei lunghissimi voli intercontinentali anche perchè pilota e copilota non potevano essere a contatto diretto. Sul B-47 però mi pare che il passaggio per spostarsi fosse in basso a sinistra.
Le otto manette dei motori sono sulla sinistra numerate. Credo che il passaggio per spostarsi in volo invece fosse sulla destra:

[richelieu]

Il collaudatore e il presidente .....

Boeing test pilot Alvin M. "Tex" Johnston with President Eisenhower with YB-52, 1953

[richelieu]

Foto di famiglia .....



..... impressionanti le dimensioni della "Stratofortezza" .....

[richelieu]

Insieme al predecessore .....



..... del quale conserva l'architettura generale .....

[Toeloop]

Boeing test pilot Alvin M. "Tex" Johnston with President Eisenhower with YB-52, 1953

Avra' provato a far fare il tonneau anche a questo? Col 707 c'e' riuscito

[Vultur]

Il rivestimento della fusoliera si corrugava a terra anche nei prototipi.

Non mi ricordo più se fu con il B-36 o proprio con il B-52 che quando Eisenhower vide per la prima volta il mockup in legno rimase allibito dall'imponenza dell'aereo e se ne usci dicendo: "... siete sicuri che vola?".

Le croci bianche disegnate a metà fusoliera servivano per puntare gli obbiettivi dei fotografi a bordo di altri aerei.

[richelieu]

A Gathering of Eagles ..... (La veglia delle aquile / 1963) .....

..... in lingua originale e ..... per intero !!!






http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Gathering_of_Eagles

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057090/

http://rodtaylorsite.com/gatheringofeagles.shtml

[sidew]

Dovrebbe essere uno spettacolo vederli dal vivo:

[Vultur]

Si, basta solo non essere il suo obbiettivo. Mi pare che ha i portelli della stiva bombe aperti.

Il B-52H può portare una ventina di AGM-84 Harpoon antinave, oppure assortimenti vari di mine di superficie o di profondità.

[richelieu]

Oggi, i B-52H rimasti imbarcano anche il nuovo missile cruise stealth a testata nucleare AGM-129 ACM.

Andati anche quelli .....

Dal "Daily Report" dell' AFA - Thursday April 26, 2012 .....

End of the Advanced Cruise Missile

Without fanfare, an excavator recently severed the fuselage of the Air Force's last AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile during a ceremony at Hill AFB, Utah.

Destruction of this AGM-129 completed the demilitarization of this cruise missile type and associated trainers, components, and engines "within budget and ahead of schedule," according to an April 24 release (1) from officials at Tinker AFB, Okla.

Tinker's Missile Sustainment Division, along with Tinker's Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center and Hill's Ogden ALC, began the process of destroying the AGM-129 inventory—some 460 missiles—in February 2008.

The Air Force had opted to eliminate (2) the AGM-129 fleet as part of US efforts to draw down nuclear force levels to meet the cap of 2,200 operational nuclear warheads imposed by the 2002 Strategic Offensive Reduction Treaty with Russia.

B-52H bombers carried the low-observable, subsonic cruise missiles.

(AGM-129A fact sheet) (3)

Links .....

(1) ..... http://www.tinker.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123299303

(2) ..... http://www.airforce-magazine.com/DRArch ... ntrol.aspx

(3) ..... http://www.af.mil/information/factsheet ... sp?id=3548

[MatteF88]

Una precisazione:

The AGM-84D Harpoon is an all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system produced by Boeing [formerly McDonnell Douglas]. The Harpoon's active radar guidance, warhead design, and low-level, sea-skimming cruise trajectory assure high survivability and effectiveness. The missile is capable of being launched from surface ships, submarines, or (without the booster) from aircraft. The AGM-84D was first introduced in 1977, and in 1979 an air-launched version was deployed on the Navy's P-3 Orion aircraft. Originally developed for the Navy to serve as its basic anti-ship missile for fleetwide use, the AGM-84D also has been adapted for use on the Air Force's B-52G bombers, which can carry from eight to 12 of the missiles.
...
At the direction of Headquarters Strategic Air Command, the Harpoon Air Command and Launch Control Set was fully integrated into a fully operational B-52G from Mather AFB, Calif., in March 1983. Three successful live launches at the Naval Air Warfare Center, Point Mugu, Calif., led to the modification of a total of 30 B-52Gs with Harpoon launch control equipment, enough to provide two squadrons of Harpoon-capable B-52Gs by June 30, 1985. The 42nd Bombardment Wing, Loring Air Force Base, Maine, and the 43rd Bombardment Wing, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, were first tasked to perform the Harpoon mission. Both wings refined tactics and doctrine to merge the long-range, heavy-payload capability of the B-52 with the proven reliability of this superior stand-off attack weapon.
After Loring AFB closed and the retirement of the last B-52G at Castle AFB, Calif., the Harpoon mission was moved to the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, La. Four B-52H models were rapidly modified (as an interim measure) to accept Harpoon launch control equipment pending B-52H fleet modification. By 1997, all B-52H airframes were Harpoon capable, providing both the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, N.D., and the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale, full squadron strength capability.

Fonte: http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/smart/agm-84.htm

[richelieu]

[MatteF88]

Il carrello "speciale" del B-52

[richelieu]

Se il pilota ci sa fare .....

[Vultur]

Il carrello "speciale" del B-52

E ci apre pure il parafreno. Ma le ruote alle estremità alari sono pure loro sterzanti, oppure non importa se pattinano? Perchè se la pista è stretta le estremità alari non cadono fuori pista sull'erba? Chissà che botte per l'ala.
In volo mi pare che si possa sterzare il carrello principale di 20-25°. A terra dovrebbe sterzare anche di 55°.

[MatteF88]

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forum ... ain/97048/

Mi sa che quei ruotini lí non sterzano, il loro scopo è soltanto quello di impedire all'ala di toccare terra e anche se strisciano o finiscono sull' erba non è un problema...il carrello principale sterzante lo aveva anche il C-5A (poi l'han tolto, credo per complessità di manutenzione..ha qualche ruota in piú del B-52 )

[giragyro]

Provo ad immaginare un novellino alle prese con il primo atterraggio, magari con un bel venticello al traverso ....

[Vultur]

Mi sa che è più facile che con un carrello normale. Basta solo non sterzare troppo con la coda sennò magari si va in testacoda. Forse il paracdute aiuta a rimanere con la coda al vento.
Il B-52 poi non mi sembra venire giù con il muso molto in alto per cui la pista la vedono pure meglio.

[giragyro]

Su YouTube si trovano alcuni filmati ripresi direttamente in cabina sia al decollo che all'atterraggio, l'escursione dei comandi e le conseguenti reazioni dell'aereo sono, come dire, .....adeguate ....
Purtroppo con il tablet non riesco a copiaincollare il video ma cercando lo si trova di sicuro ...

[MatteF88]

Ecco qua:

[richelieu]

I B-52 in Corea .....

B-52s break tradition during Max Thunder ....-

http://www.pacaf.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123303610

Anche qui .... http://theaviationist.com/2012/05/29/ta ... orea-b-52/ ..... con, all'interno, interessanti links .....

[richelieu]

Missioni all'estero .....

Francia e Germania ..... senza scalo e con un rifornimento in volo da un KC-135 dell' Armée de l' Air .....

http://www.minot.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123305709

The 23rd Bomb Squadron sent a B-52H Stratofortress on a 24-hour Global Power mission from Minot Air Force Base to France and Germany, then back to Minot in early May. The mission included four aerial refuelings, with one being a French tanker.

Lituania ..... in occasione dell'esercitazione "Baltops 2012" .....

http://vilnius.usembassy.gov/odc/multin ... -2012.html

http://www.kam.lt/en/news_1098/current_ ... ltops_2012

For the first time in the history of Lithuania two U.S. B-52 strategic bombers flew in Lithuania's airspace over the operation area.

[richelieu]

Questa mattina ..... il "Daily Report" della "U.S. Air Force Association" riferisce dell'intensa attività che gli equipaggi dei B-52 hanno svolto negli ultimi tempi .....

Maximum Effort ....

B-52 bombers flew in two major exercises, flexing nuclear and conventional strike forces on a global scale, according to Air Force Global Strike Command officials.

As two B-52s returned to Barksdale AFB, La., on June 11 from a simulated maritime strike over the Baltic Sea, another 10 bombers launched on a mass nuclear-generation exercise from Minot AFB, N.D., states a June 15 Barksdale release.

BALTOPS, the NATO exercise in the Baltic, "was a good example of how the Air Force can support the US Navy's operations by striking targets at sea," said Robert Thomson, AFGSC exercise division chief.

"This type of exercise is a prime example of how teamwork among different nations can help increase stability," he added.

Constant Vigilance, the second exercise, proved the nuclear bomber force's ability to "respond quickly and efficiently to real world situations," said Thomson.

Both exercises validated AFGSC's ability to "support both conventional and nuclear missions simultaneously," he added.

(Barksdale report (*) by Carla Pampe)

(*) Link ..... http://www.afgsc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123306190

Ne parla anche David Cenciotti nel suo bel blog "The Aviationist" .....
..... http://theaviationist.com/2012/06/19/b- ... tart-mito/

[richelieu]

Armi e bagagli .....

Aircrew assigned to the 20th Bomb Squadron prepare to board their B-52H Stratofortress bomber at Barksdale AFB, La., for a sortie in support of Exercise BALTOPS 2012, June 10, 2012.
The crew flew the B-52 to the Baltic Sea area and back during a mission of more than 25 hours as part of the maritime security exercise with nations of the Baltic Sea region.
(Air Force photo by A1C Andrew Moua)

[richelieu]

Volo di addestramento di una "Stratofortezza" .....

[richelieu]

Imperativo ..... Proteggere gli aerei e il loro armamento nucleare !

Dal "Daily Report" dell' AFA di questa mattina .....

Drop it; On Your Face!

Security Forces airmen stormed the flight line at Barksdale AFB, La., recapturing a nuclear-loaded B-52H bomber from a simulated terrorist infiltrator during a nuclear surety exercise on base last week.

"Our scale is a 'go' or 'no-go.'

There are no other levels," explained Kenneth Webb, 2nd Security Forces Squadron exercise evaluator, in Barksdale's June 26 release.

"The requirements are greatly enhanced" for security forces at Air Force Global Strike Command bases, and the 2nd SFS rigorously trains for nuclear weapons security on a quarterly basis, said Webb.

As part of the 2nd Bomb Wing's overall nuclear security grade, evaluators checked that the security forces airmen displayed proper tactics, cover and concealment techniques, and fire control to make sure they could properly engage any adversary, added Webb.

"It's important to practice the wartime mission, to establish that muscle memory," said TSgt. Willie Johnson of the 2nd SFS.

(Barksdale report by SSgt. Chad Warren ..... http://www.barksdale.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123307962 )

[richelieu]

Scambio di cortesie .....

Two Russian Strategic Bombers to fly in the U.S. next year. And two B-52s to return the visit .....

Fonte ..... http://theaviationist.com/2012/07/18/tu95-us-visit/

In effetti ..... ci sono già stati dei precedenti .....

The base turned its attention from combat to more peaceful pursuits when two B-52s, a KC-10 and their crews visited Dyagilevo Air Base, Russia , in March 1992.
In May 1992 Barksdale hosted a return visit by two Russian Tu-95 "Bear" bombers, an An-124 "Condor" transport and 58 Russian airmen.
The Russians stayed for six days, seeing a slice of America and participating in Strategic Air Command's final Bombing and Navigation Competition awards symposium.
The Russians visited again in August 1994, bringing a Tu-95 "Bear" and an Il-78 aerial tanker.

Fonte ..... http://www.barksdale.af.mil/library/fac ... sp?id=4409



Lo scorso Agosto, come già avvenuto nel 2003, un B-52 proveniente dalla Minot AFB prese parte alla manifestazione aerea "MAKS" tenutasi presso il Centro Sperimentale Zhukovsky (Ramenskoye) nel circondario di Mosca .....

Fonte ..... http://www.minot.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123270017

[richelieu]

Dal "Daily Report" dell' AFA di questa mattina ..... un vero record .....

Barksdale BUFFs Shine .....

B-52s of the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, La., flew 100 percent of their assigned sorties in July, notching up the wing's highest mission-capable rate in at least 16 years, thanks to stellar work by their maintainers.

The wing's bombers completed 600 flying hours last month without scrubbing a single sortie due to scheduling, maintenance, parts availability, or last-minute aborts, according to the wing's Aug. 6 release.

"As far as we know, this is the first time that this has happened here," said Lt. Col. Thomas Kirkham, 2nd Maintenance Group deputy commander.

"We only have records dating back to 1996, but . . . this is no small feat for any base with [air]planes as old as ours," he added.

Even through a Red Flag training exercise at Nellis AFB, Nev., and a wing inspection, 2nd BW wing maintainers met or exceeded all nine of the B-52's maintenance metrics, according to the release.

"It takes a special group," said Kirkham.

(Barksdale report by SSgt. Jason McCasland ..... http://www.barksdale.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123312829 )

[richelieu]

Dal "Daily Report" dell' AFA di questa mattina ..... scambio di cortesie ..... e di visite .....

US, Russia Create Bomber Exchange Program .....

A delegation from Barksdale AFB, La., visited Engels Air Base in Saratov, Russia, establishing the foundation for a US-Russia long-range aviation bomber exchange program, announced Air Force Global Strike Command officials.

"We're going to fly B-52s to Russia and they're going to fly Tu-95 Bears to Barksdale," said 2nd Bomb Wing Commander Col. Andrew Gebara, who led the Barksdale group, in an Aug. 8 release.

http://www.barksdale.af.mil/library/bio ... p?id=15600

He added, "It's a tremendous opportunity for our two nations to learn from each other to improve aviation technology and skills in our respective air forces."

During the July visit, the seven-member US delegation evaluated Engels airfield to see if it was suitable for B-52H operations.

"One of the big takeaways from our trip is that while we fly different aircraft and are from opposite ends of the globe, our objective is the same," said Lt. Col. Michael Thompson, 2nd BW director of staff, who was with the delegation.

"We all want to have a safe and credible deterrent force."

Barksdale report by A1C Samuel O'Brien ..... http://www.afgsc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123313284

[richelieu]

L' edizione statunitense online del settimanale "TIME" ritorna, nella rubrica "Battleland" (e non senza una certa dose di ironia), sul tema dello scambio di visite fra reparti di bombardieri strategici americani e russi .....

The Bomber Exchange Program .....

http://nation.time.com/2012/08/13/the-b ... e-program/




Si menziona, fra l'altro, la recentissima dichiarazione del presidente Putin che, in occasione delle celebrazioni per il 100° anniversario della "Voenno-Vozdushnye Sily", ha promesso un futuro considerevole rafforzamento delle forze aeree russe .....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/ ... story.html

http://visualrian.ru/en/site/feature/190003/

Anche su "AW&ST" ..... http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.asp ... 485603.xml

[richelieu]

In ossequio al trattato "New START" ..... una parte dei B-52 ancora in servizio perderà la capacità nucleare .....

B-52 Denuclearization Plan OK .....

The Pentagon approved Air Force Global Strike Command’s technical plan to denuclearize a handful of B-52 bombers to keep them from counting against force levels stipulated under the New START agreement with Russia.

“The proposal on how to do it so that it’s treaty compliant has been approved by the Office of the Secretary of Defense Compliance Review Group,” said AFGSC chief Lt. Gen. James Kowalski, speaking with reporters at AFA's Air & Space Conference in National Harbor, Md., Tuesday afternoon.

AFGSC has “all the money laid in” to the current program of record to permanently convert the bombers to a conventional-only configuration, in accordance with the treaty implementation timeline, explained Kowalski.

The command’s preference is to split the conventional-only bombers evenly between USAF’s two operational B-52 wings, but “we’re awaiting final force structure decisions,” before moving forward said Kowalski.

Arie Church

[richelieu]

Rotazioni .....

..... dal "Daily Report" dell' AFA di questa mattina .....

Barksdale Bombers Rotate to Pacific .....

A contingent of airmen and B-52s from Barksdale AFB, La., flew to Anderson AFB, Guam, to provide the next rotation of the Air Force's continuous bomber presence at the Pacific air hub.

The airmen began departing Barksdale on Oct. 1 to relieve the members of the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Minot AFB, N.D., who deployed to Guam for a six-month stint at the end of March.

http://www.airforce-magazine.com/DRArch ... cific.aspx

The Barksdale airmen, who will constitute the 96th EBS while at Andersen, will be the first contingent from the Louisiana base to stay on Guam for six months, according to an Oct. 5 Barksdale release.

Previously, the bomber units rotated every four months.

"Ours is the first six-month rotation," explained SMSgt. Joseph Sternod, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit assistant maintenance superintendent.

By swapping out the bombers less often with the longer rotations, Air Force Global Strike Command aims to cut logistical costs and add greater stability to the mission, according to the release.

Barksdale report by SSgt. Chad Warren ..... http://www.barksdale.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123321267

[richelieu]

Dall' archivio di "Flight International" .....

Gli inizi .....

http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFAr ... 200087.PDF

http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFAr ... 201112.PDF

http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFAr ... 201438.PDF

http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFAr ... 201824.PDF


Una prima valutazione .....

http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFAr ... 203478.PDF

http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFAr ... 203479.PDF

http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFAr ... 203480.PDF

[richelieu]

61-040 ..... l' ultimo .....


June 22: The last Boeing B-52H, the eighth and final version of the intercontinental bomber (tail number 61-040), rolls out of Wichita, Kan., to be delivered to the Air Force Oct. 26.

Fonte ..... http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/aircr ... nks-f.html

Si notino, sullo sfondo, i quattro mock-up di ALBM "Skybolt" .....

[richelieu]

Quando entrò in servizio .....

SAC's Newest Recruit--the Stratofort .....

In mid-1955 the wing (93d Heavy Bomb Wing, SAC) became the first B-52 heavy bombardment unit in the Strategic Air Command .....

Fonte ..... http://www.airforce-magazine.com/Magazi ... ofort.aspx


Parla il generale LeMay ..... comandante in capo del SAC .....

SAC's Readiness Is Our Peace Insurance Policy .....

For centuries it has been the job of the general to win wars.
In the nuclear air age his job must be to prevent wars.

Fonte ..... http://www.airforce-magazine.com/Magazi ... rance.aspx