1955 B-52 - Introduction of the longest-serving bomber in history

MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF SERVICE AND STILL GOING
Boeing used the company‘s bomber heritage to build the eight-engine, all-jet B-52. It was to become the longest-serving bomber ever when it entered into service in 1955. Now with more than 50 years of service, the B-52 has a 70,000 pound payload capacity, can climb to 50,000 feet and fly 650 miles per hour. Boeing’s last production run was the “H” line, which it built in 1963. The company has since maintained and sustained the aircraft to support the United States’ missions throughout the successive half century.