Joint Base Andrews, MD -- The Air Force Declassification Office has just released two new documents concerning US Army Air Forces Air Materiel Command research and testing of jet propulsion and aircraft design, including testing and concepts for the six-engine XB-52 prototype, the original version of the iconic B-52 Stratofortress. The XB-52 was extensively redesigned over the next several years, including to a YB-52 version with more operational equipment, which first flew in April 1952. The B-52B, the first official model in military use, entered service in February 1955, capping off a nine year research and development effort for what has since become America's longest continually operational fixed wing military aircraft.
Find the documents below or on our "Aircraft" page:
USAAF Early Jet Tests, 1943-1946
Early B-52 Development, 1946