How heavy is a bomber?

The mission requirements for heavy bombers led to large, heavy (for that time period) multiengine aircraft just as they do today. Gross weights varied widely but usually fell in the range from 8000 to 16 000 pounds, and some of the German special-purpose R-planes weighed over 30 000 pounds (ref.

What is the heaviest bomber in service?

In 1987 the Soviet Tu-160—the heaviest supersonic bomber/aircraft currently in active service—entered service; it can carry twelve long-range cruise missiles.

What was the heaviest bomber in ww2?

The heaviest bomber of World War II was the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, which entered service in 1944 with a fully pressurized crew compartment (previously used only on experimental aircraft) and as many as 12 . 50-inch machine guns mounted in pairs in remotely-controlled turrets.

How many heavy bombers does us have?

Moreover, there was a time when the Air Force operated a wide variety of bombers – but today, it is down to three aircraft, including the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, the Rockwell B-1 Lancer, and Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit.

What is the largest bomber in the US military?

The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet (15,166.6 meters). It can carry nuclear or precision guided conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability.

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What is the largest bomber base in the US?

It is contiguous to Bossier City, Louisiana, along the base's western and northwestern edge. Barksdale AFB occupies more than 22,000 acres (89 km²) east of Bossier City and along the southern edge of Interstate 20. More than 15,000 active-duty and Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) members serve at Barksdale.

What was the scariest bomber of ww2?

Junkers Ju87 Widely known as the “Stuka”, the Ju87 was one of the most feared aircraft during World War Two. It had a fearsome siren which terrified those who heard it.

Which U.S. bomber carries the most bombs?

Carrying the largest conventional payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory, the multi-mission B-1 is the backbone of America's long-range bomber force.

What was the bomber death rate in ww2?

Casualties. Bomber Command crews suffered an extremely high casualty rate: 55,573 killed out of a total of 125,000 aircrew (a 44.4 per cent death rate), a further 8,403 were wounded in action and 9,838 became prisoners of war.

Do bomber planes have bathrooms?

During World War II, large bomber aircraft, such as the American Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and the British Avro Lancaster, carried chemical toilets (basically a bucket with seat and cover, see bucket toilet); in British use, they were called "Elsans" after the company that manufactured them.

What is the loudest military plane ever?

The loudest aircraft ever flown was likely the Republic XF-84H "Thunderscreech", a turboprop-driven variant of the US Air Force's F-84 Thunderjet fighter.

Does the US still use heavy bombers?

In addition to strategic bombing, strategic bombers can be used for tactical missions. There are currently only three countries that operate strategic bombers: the United States, Russia and China.

Why is the B-2 bomber so feared?

The B-2 provides the penetrating flexibility and effectiveness inherent in manned bombers. Its low-observable, or "stealth," characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy's most sophisticated defenses and threaten its most valued, and heavily defended, targets.

What country has the best bomber?

If precision, stealth, long-range, impressive payload and speed are the demands for the title of the best bomber in the world, the U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit is untouchable.

Does the b1 bomber have a bathroom?

The B-1 bomber, for instance, has a small toilet behind the left front seat in the four-person cockpit, while the B-2 stealth bomber has "one stainless-steel bowl, no walls" behind the right seat of its two-pilot cockpit, according to Popular Mechanics.

How many 500 pound bombs can a B-52 carry?

Unmodified B-52Ds could carry only 27 even 500-pound or 750-pound bombs, but the Big Belly could carry 84 500-pound or 42 750-pound bombs.

What was the longest bomber raid in history?

Below: The homeward-bound Spirit of America stops for refueling at Diego Garcia during the longest bombing raid in history—over 44 hours of flight time. All six B-2s that participated flew missions of more than 40 hours.

What bomber was called the flying coffin?

The Russian MiG-21s are India's longest serving fighters jets with the first one being inducted in 1963. Over the years, the jet has been dubbed the flying coffin. According to an India Today report, over 400 MiG-21 aircraft have crashed in last 60 years killing 200 pilots and 60 civilians.

How high can a U.S. bomber fly?

8 – High Subsonic

The B-2 can reach a high subsonic speed and can also reach an altitude of more 50,000 feet.

What U.S. state has the most military bases?

Texas, Virginia, and California have the most military bases out of all states. The largest military base by populace is Fort Bragg which as of 2022 has more than 90,000 personnel who work and live on it. The largest of military bases by area is Fort Hood, Texas, with nearly 215,000 acres of land.

What is the oldest U.S. bomber in service?

The B-52 has been in service with the USAF since 1955. As of June 2019, there are 76 aircraft in inventory; 58 operated by active forces (2nd Bomb Wing and 5th Bomb Wing), 18 by reserve forces (307th Bomb Wing), and about 12 in long-term storage at the Davis-Monthan AFB Boneyard.