Over the past several decades, the Boeing B-52H Stratofortress has remained the main long-range aircraft of the US Air Force. Such machines entered service more than half a century ago and will remain in service until at least the forties. Long-range bombers B-52H are regularly repaired and modernized, which allows them to maintain the required technical condition. In addition, the renewal of equipment and its components makes it possible to provide the required combat qualities. Despite their considerable age, B-52H bombers remain a serious threat to the security of third countries.
B-52H and its characteristics
The observed combat potential of the B-52H aircraft is due to several factors. The capabilities and capabilities of the aircraft are determined by its own tactical and technical characteristics, the characteristics of the weapons used, as well as the features of the command and control system. First, we will consider the potential of the main component of the aviation strike complex - the B-52H aircraft itself.
B-52H Stratofortress in flight. Photo Boeing Company / boeing.com
The B-52H Stratofortress is the largest and heaviest combat aircraft of the United States Air Force, which gives it certain advantages in the context of its main missions. The bomber has a wing span of 56.4 m and a length of 48.5 m. The mass of an empty aircraft is determined at 83.25 tons, the maximum take-off weight is 220 tons. The fuel tanks hold more than 181.6 thousand liters of fuel. The maximum combat load reaches 31.5 tons.
The aircraft is capable of reaching a speed of 1050 km / h at altitude, while the cruising speed is lower - 845 km / h. Service ceiling - 15 km. The combat radius is 7200 km, the ferry range is 16230 km. The bomber is equipped with an in-flight refueling system. Such equipment makes it possible to increase the duration and range of the flight to the required values. So, in the past, experiments were carried out during which the B-52 remained in the air for 40-45 hours.
The bomber is equipped with means of protection against enemy interceptors and anti-aircraft missiles. Until the early nineties, all B-52Hs were equipped with stern mounts with 20 mm M61 automatic cannons. In the future, such equipment was abandoned in favor of other means of protection. Currently, self-defense is carried out only by means of electronic warfare. It is planned to modernize this equipment, aimed at obtaining characteristics that meet the requirements of the time.
Thus, from the point of view of the main tactical and technical characteristics, the B-52H is a very successful aircraft capable of solving a wide range of combat missions in different conditions. Thus, the large carrying capacity, provided by the advantageous design of the airframe and the power plant, makes it possible to carry and use various weapons of all major classes. Systems are provided to protect the bomber in flight.
View from a different angle. Photo Boeing Company / boeing.com
It should be noted that the main advantages of the B-52H as a platform for weapons are associated precisely with flight performance - primarily, with the "global" flight range. The combat radius without refueling, depending on the load, can exceed 7 thousand km. Participation in the operation of a tanker aircraft allows you to significantly increase this parameter. In fact, the B-52H, both independently and with the help of tankers, is capable of operating from any US air base and hitting targets in any part of the world. It is also possible to patrol in a given area, awaiting an order to strike.
However, the high flight range is combined with subsonic speed. This, in a known manner, slows down the transfer of aircraft to forward air bases, and also increases the time required to carry out an attack. Accordingly, a speed of no more than 1000-1050 km / h in a number of situations can give advantages to the enemy, allowing him to react to a threat in time.
Flying arsenal
The B-52H Stratofortress is capable of carrying 31.5 tons of payload. To accommodate it, an internal cargo compartment with a length of 8, 5 and a width of 1, 8 m is mainly used. The internal compartment is equipped with holders for weapons, and can also carry a revolving launcher for missiles. Two pylons with three beam holders on each are mounted under the center section. The configuration of the compartment and pylons, as well as their equipment, are determined in accordance with the requirements of a specific combat mission.
All modifications of the B-52 bomber were capable of using free-fall bombs of various types, including nuclear weapons. The maximum load in this case is 51 bombs up to 500 pounds (227 kg). Larger and heavier items are transported in smaller quantities. Until recently, the main special free-fall ammunition was the B61 and B83 tactical thermonuclear bombs - the aircraft carried eight such products. However, a few years ago, the B-52H was excluded from the list of carriers of tactical nuclear weapons.
The B-52H aircraft and its armament range as of 2006. Photo by US Air Force
The B-52H is a carrier of high-precision bombs and missiles. The bomber's hardware is compatible with the JDAM family of guided bombs. The number of such weapons on board depends on its model and, accordingly, dimensions and caliber. JDAM bombs can be dropped from a distance of several tens of kilometers from the target and are aimed at it using satellite navigation. There is an AGM-154 JSOW guided bomb. The gliding product has a mass of 497 kg and carries a high-explosive fragmentation warhead. The maximum drop range for the latest modifications reaches 130 km.
In service there are several modifications of the AGM-86 ALCM / CALCM cruise missile. Such missiles are capable of flying at a range of 1, 2-2, 4 thousand km and carry a conventional or thermonuclear warhead, depending on the modification. In the cargo compartment, 12 AGM-158A / B JASSM / JASSM-ER missiles can be installed. Using satellite navigation and an infrared homing head, such missiles deliver a penetrating high-explosive warhead at a range of 360 (JASSM) or 980 (JASSM-ER) kilometers.
The B-52H bomber can also carry sea mines. Similar products of different types with different characteristics can be installed in the cargo compartment. Of particular interest is the Quickstrike-ER mine currently being tested. This product is a standard Quickstrike mine with a JDAM-ER kit borrowed from airplane glide bombs. Such a naval mine can be transported and dropped by any aircraft capable of using JDAM. After being dropped, the Quickstrike-ER glides to the designated area, falls into the water and begins searching for a target. Thanks to the appearance of such weapons, the B-52H and other aircraft of the United States and other countries can more effectively solve the tasks of laying minefields.
The B-52H strategic bomber is capable of carrying a variety of US aircraft weapons, both new and outdated. Such an aircraft can attack ground or surface targets of the enemy, using the most effective weapon in this situation. At the same time, the process of creating new models continues, as a result of which the nomenclature of B-52H ammunition changes regularly.
Winged threat
Even half a century after the start of service, the Boeing B-52H Stratofortress bomber retains a fairly high combat potential and remains a serious threat. The US Air Force currently has 70 such aircraft; a significant amount of equipment is in storage and can be returned to service after repair and modernization. Thus, the United States has a fairly large fleet of high-performance strategic bombers.
Stratofortress with AGM-86B missiles under the wing. Photo by US Air Force
Based on the available data, it is possible to draw some conclusions about the capabilities of the B-52H fleet, as well as the associated risks for third countries. These conclusions, in turn, make it possible to determine the main methods of defense against American strategic aviation.
The danger of the B-52H to a potential US adversary consists of three main factors. The first two are aircraft performance characteristics and the possibility of their basing at airfields around the world. The Pentagon can transfer bombers from one base to another, gathering large groups of equipment in dangerous directions. In addition, similar actions can be carried out with refueling aircraft designed to support the operation of bombers.
The high flight range makes it possible to reach remote lines of application of weapons, to be on duty in the air while waiting for a command to fly to a designated target, or to build an optimal route that takes into account the peculiarities of the enemy's air defense, assigned weapons and existing risks. If necessary, the flight range and combat radius can be increased with the help of tanker aircraft. In fact, with the correct organization of combat work, B-52Hs are capable of using any weapon anywhere in the world.
The current range of weapons makes the B-52H bomber a versatile strike weapon. Depending on the task at hand, it is possible to use free-fall and corrected bombs, as well as guided missiles of various types. Some ammunition is equipped with conventional warheads, others are thermonuclear. The B-52H is capable of carrying sea mines.
Underwing pylon with AGM-86B missiles. Photo by US Air Force
It should be noted that the B-52H will not operate independently in a real war. They can solve the tasks of the second strike - after the stealthy attack aircraft of the first line, designed to destroy air defense, have completed their mission. In addition, long-range bombers will not be left without fighter cover. Thus, the enemy will have to fight not with aircraft of one specific type, but with a developed mixed aviation grouping.
How to deal with it
For all its advantages, the B-52H Stratofortress is not invulnerable. The presence of a number of defense systems in the enemy's possession and their correct use drastically reduce the real effectiveness of bombers or even exclude their work. In this context, one can recall the Vietnam War. During this conflict, the US Air Force lost 17 B-52 aircraft as a result of enemy actions. The bulk of the downed aircraft fell on Soviet-made anti-aircraft missile systems. However, during their work in Southeast Asia, strategic bombers managed to carry out almost 130 thousand sorties.
The B-52H is not without its drawbacks, and this circumstance should be used to your advantage. First of all, it should be borne in mind that this aircraft was developed before the appearance and spread of stealth technologies, which affects its visibility. The effective scattering area of such an aircraft, according to various sources, reaches 100 sq. M. This means that any modern radar station will spot such a bomber at its maximum range.
The aircraft can use electronic warfare equipment, but their effectiveness and impact on the situation depends on a number of factors. From the available data, it follows that the EW B-52H complex is capable of "drowning" ground and aircraft radars of old types, but modern designs from leading manufacturers are protected from such effects. They are able to continue tracking a detected target.
The AGM-158 JASSM missile hits the target. Photo by Lockjeed Martin Corp. / lockheedmartin.com
Timely detection of the bomber gives enough time for a reaction. Here it is necessary to use one more of its disadvantages - subsonic speed. The latter increases the flight time to the target or launch line and thereby simplifies the work of air defense. The anti-aircraft gunners have more time to attack the approaching aircraft.
You can consider the situation with a hypothetical confrontation between the B-52H bomber and the S-400 air defense system. With the help of the 91N6E early warning radar, the air defense system is capable of detecting a very noticeable target at a distance of 570 km. Starting from a range of 400-380 km, the anti-aircraft complex can use a 40N6E missile to attack a detected target. The rapprochement between the aircraft and the rocket will last about 5 minutes. If the missile launch for any reason did not end in hitting the target, the air defense system has enough time to re-attack, including with the use of other missiles.
A similar situation is with the interception of bombers by fighters. Modern fighters, having received target designation from ground vehicles, are able to reach the interception line in time and use their missile weapons. However, depending on the situation and methods of duty of fighters, the time required to complete such tasks may vary. For example, the duty of fighters on the proposed route of the bomber drastically reduces the reaction time, and also brings the line of interception to a safe distance.
For obvious reasons, the B-52H Stratofortress is most at risk when using free-fall bombs. In fact, such tasks can be solved only in conditions of complete suppression of the enemy's air defense. If the anti-aircraft gunners continue to work, the aviation will have to use other weapons that can be dropped from safe distances. These can be JDAM bombs or other tactical weapons with a flight range of at least several tens of kilometers. However, their use with an operating medium or long-range air defense echelon is associated with great risks.
B-52H with Quickstrike-ER naval mines. Photo Thedrive.com
B-52H aircraft with modern JASSM and CALCM cruise missiles pose a major threat. To launch such a weapon, the aircraft does not even need to enter the zone of responsibility of the enemy radar. Thus, air defense will have to identify and attack small-sized complex missiles, while their carrier may go unnoticed.
The B-52H can already master the "profession" of a sea minefield designer. There are two ways to combat such threats. The first is the air defense of a possible mine-laying area. The second is the development of mine-sweeping forces, including through the creation of new search systems for the disposal of mines. Work in these two directions will prevent the installation of mines by creating a threat to their carriers or by intercepting already dropped ammunition. Mines already placed in position can be neutralized by the appropriate units of the fleet.
Tips for third countries
Since the B-52H bombers, despite their considerable age, are still a serious threat, third countries - the likely adversaries of the United States - need to take a number of special measures. With their help, it will be possible to protect yourself from the main representative of the long-range aviation of the United States and his weapons.
First of all, it is necessary to develop its own air defense system. We need ground-based radars and long-range radar patrol aircraft capable of monitoring the situation not only near borders, but also in remote dangerous areas. All this will make it possible to timely find flying aircraft and the ammunition they are dropping. Also required a modern layered air defense system, including fighter-interceptors and anti-aircraft missile systems. It will be able to cover a wide range of ranges and intercept targets at distances of hundreds of kilometers. All air defense components must be resistant to the enemy's electronic warfare equipment and be able to detect stealth aircraft.
Bomber during landing. Photo Boeing Company / boeing.com
The latest steps in the development of the US Air Force in general and the B-52H aircraft in particular impose special requirements on the naval forces of third countries. A Stratofortress with Quickstrike-ER mines could be a serious threat. As a result, there are new requirements for mine-sweeping forces. They need modern minesweeping ships and other systems, transported, towed or autonomous. Unmanned submarine or surface complexes capable of operating in a large group in a large area can have a high potential in such a context.
Thus, third countries are quite capable of resisting the B-52H bombers or even completely eliminating their combat use by creating an excessive threat. To do this, it is necessary to take into account the current situation and determine the front of threats, after which it is necessary to supplement or restructure the armed forces accordingly - first of all, ground air defense systems and fighter aircraft. In this case, we will talk not only about countering long-range bombers, but also about creating a full-fledged A2 / AD system capable of fighting any other threats.
For all its advantages, the B-52H is not invulnerable and does not guarantee unpunished strike. An effective fight against such bombers is quite real and can be organized using modern methods and materiel. However, one should not forget that the United States is developing its combat aircraft, and therefore it is necessary to constantly improve the means of protection against it.
Air defense and other components of the armed forces can reduce the combat potential of a potential enemy's aviation and become an effective means of strategic deterrence. As a result, the B-52H bombers are transformed from a real strike tool into a showcase of force. For example, a few days ago, such planes flew to one of the British bases and have already managed to patrol near the Russian borders. At the same time, it is obvious that we are talking exclusively about "diplomacy". An attempted air strike on targets in a country with Russia's military potential would be a real gamble with a predictable result for bombers.
