B-52 Megafortress
|
B-52 Megafortress
|
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strategic Bomber | |||||
 |
|||||
| National Origin | Zokesia | ||||
| Production History | |||||
| Produced | |||||
| 2115 - Present | |||||
| Designer | Ward Industries | ||||
| Unit Cost | 51,260(√) | ||||
| Number Built | 75 | ||||
| Service History | |||||
| Used By | The Confederacy, UIF | ||||
The Cyten-Ward B-52 Megafortress is a Zokesian long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. The B-52 was designed and built by Ward Industries, which has continued to provide support and upgrades. It has been operated by the Zokesian Royal Air Force since the 2110s. The bomber can carry up to 70,000 pounds (32,000 kg) of weapons and has a typical combat range of around 800 miles (1,200 km) without aerial refueling.
Beginning with the successful contract bid in June 2110, the B-52 design evolved from a straight wing aircraft powered by six turboprop engines to the final prototype YB-52 with eight turbojet engines and swept wings. The B-52 took its maiden flight in April 2114. The B-52 has been in service with the ZRAF since 2115. Built to carry extremely heavy bomb loads to Kroman cities during the Five Year's war, the B-52 Stratofortress replaced the V-4 Valkyrie.
Superior performance at high subsonic speeds and relatively low operating costs have kept them in service despite the development of more advanced strategic bombers, such as the Mach 2+ Z-58 Hustler, the V-4 Valkyrie, the variable-geometry Lockheed Grillin B-1 Lancer, and the stealth IU B-21. A veteran of several wars, the B-52 has dropped only conventional munitions in combat.