What is B-52 Stratofortress? How the Cold War-era US bomber is being used to strike Iran

Fresh footage released by the US military shows B-52 Stratofortress bombers taking off as Washington intensifies strikes against Iranian targets under Operation Epic Fury.

According to the US Central Command, B-52 bombers were deployed in the first 100 hours of the operation, striking Iranian ballistic missile infrastructure and command-and-control posts.



“American airpower remains unmatched. The B-52 Stratofortress has been utilized in every major conflict since 1965. During the first 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury, B-52s struck Iranian ballistic missile and command and control posts,” US Central Command said in a post on X.



Despite being designed in the early years of the Cold War, the aircraft remains one of the most powerful long-range bombers in the American arsenal.

What is the B-52 Stratofortress?

The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range heavy bomber operated by the United States Air Force. First conceived in 1946 and entering service in 1955, it was originally designed to deliver nuclear weapons against the Soviet Union.

Over the decades, however, the aircraft has evolved into a multi-role bomber capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional weapons.


The latest operational version, the B-52H, remains one of the most versatile aircraft in the US fleet and is expected to remain in service until at least the 2050s.

How the bomber works

The B-52 is powered by eight jet engines, giving it the ability to fly long distances while carrying extremely heavy payloads.

Key capabilities include:

Range: Around 8,800 miles (14,000 km) without aerial refuelling

Altitude: Up to 50,000 feet

Payload capacity: Nearly 70,000 pounds (32,000 kg) of weapons

Speed: High subsonic cruise speeds suitable for long-range strike missions

The bomber can carry a wide range of munitions, including:

- Precision-guided bombs

- Air-launched cruise missiles

- Naval strike weapons

- Conventional and nuclear payloads

Because it can launch long-range stand-off missiles, the aircraft does not always need to enter heavily defended airspace to hit targets.



Why the B-52 is still used today

While stealth aircraft like the B-2 Spirit often draw attention, the B-52 remains crucial because of its payload capacity, endurance, and cost efficiency.

Unlike stealth bombers that rely on invisibility, the B-52 functions as a high-capacity flying weapons platform capable of striking multiple targets in a single mission.

Its ability to stay airborne for long durations and fire stand-off weapons from safe distances makes it particularly useful in sustained military campaigns.

Role in the Iran strikes

US officials say the objective of the current strikes is to cripple Iran’s missile infrastructure and military command networks.

During Operation Epic Fury, B-52 bombers were used to target ballistic missile facilities and command posts across Iran.

A statement from the White House said the operation had destroyed thousands of high-value targets, including missile sites, air defence systems, production facilities and launch platforms.

It also claimed significant damage to Iran’s naval assets and missile production capabilities.


Nicknamed BUFF

Called “BUFF” — Big Ugly Fat Fellow — the B-52 has served in nearly every major US conflict since the 1960s, including the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and the War in Afghanistan.

Today, the US Air Force operates 76 B-52 aircraft, many of which have undergone extensive avionics and weapons upgrades.

More than seventy years after its first flight, the aircraft remains a central pillar of American long-range strike capability — proving that even a bomber designed in the 1950s can still shape modern warfare.