CentralNotice Boeing B-52 Stratofortress From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation , search "B-52" redirects here. For other uses, see B52 (disambiguation) . "BUFF" redirects here. For other uses, see Buff . B-52 Stratofortress A B-52H from Barksdale AFB flying over the desert Role Strategic bomber Manufacturer Boeing First flight 15 April 1952 Introduction February 1955 Status In service Primary users United States Air Force NASA Produced 1952–62 Number built 744 [ 1 ] Unit cost B-52B: US$14.43 million [ 2 ] B-52H: US$9.28 million (1962) B-52H: US$53.4 million (1998) [ 3 ] Developed into Conroy Virtus The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic , jet-powered strategic bomber . The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing , which has continued to provide support and upgrades. It has been o...