The B-52 "Stratofortress" has been a mainstay of the U.S. Air Force heavy bomber fleet since 1961. (It first flew in the 1950s.)

The huge eight-engine bomber is capable of carrying a large load of conventional bombs under its wings. B-52s were used for carpet bombing of Iraqi troop concentrations and Republican Guard units during the Gulf War, flying 1,600 missions and dropping 25,700 tons or ordnance.