The best American bombers: an overview

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:42

American bombers are part of the elite strategic aviation. Along with submarine missile carriers and ground-based intercontinental missiles, they form the backbone of the nuclear triad. This power is considered the defining force in the global deterrence of world military catastrophes.

American bombers of World War II

The B-17 FF line of attack aircraft was produced at the production facilities of Boeing, Douglas, Loheed. Production falls on 1936-1945. All 7,000 vehicles produced were of all-metal construction with fabric-covered tail fins and camouflaged undercarriages.

These combat aircraft were also operated by the British Air Force. Twelve captured units were flown by Luftwaffe squadrons as Dornier DO 200.

Specifications of the indicated American bomber:

dimensions/wing span – 22, 7/5, 8/31, 6 m;
empty/takeoff weight – 16, 4/29, 7 t;
motor types - "Cyclone" 1820-97 in parameterpower 1200 l. p.;
capacity of fuel tanks - up to 13.7 thousand liters;
maximum speed - 525 km/h;
flight range - up to 5, 7 thousand km;
weapons - 13 Browning machine gun mounts caliber 12.7 mm, load weight of bombs - 2.3 tons;
team composition - 10 people

Boeing B-29

Another American bomber aircraft has been manufactured by the Boeing, Martin, and Bell corporations since 1943. It was this model that attacked Hiroshima and Nagasaki with atomic weapons in the summer of 45. The design of the machine is a mid-plane with a one-piece cantilever metal hull, equipped with an extension wing and a rounded fuselage.

The aircraft was assembled from sheet profiles. The ammunition was controlled at a distance, the design provided for three pressurized cabins, a chassis with three struts, double wheels and a pair of bomb bays. A total of 3.9 thousand units of this modification were manufactured.

TTX:

overall dimensions – 30200/8500 mm;
wing span - 43000 mm;
empty/takeoff weight – 32.4/63.5 t;
power plants - Wright 3350 motors (4 pieces) with a power of 2, 2 thousand liters. p.;
capacity of fuel tanks - 35 thousand liters;
speed threshold - 643 km/h;
flight range - 6380 km;
armament - 12.7mm machine gun mounts (12 pieces), bomb stock - 9000 kg;
composition of the team - 11 people

Consolidated B-24 "Liberator"

The heavy American strategic bomber was manufactured by Consolidade, North American, Douglas, Ford Motor corporations. Years of release - 1940-45. Several variations came into the series, which differed in power plants, weapons, and equipment. The design of the machine is a one-piece body with a three-bearing transforming chassis. More than 18 thousand units have been produced in the series.

Parameters:

dimensions - 20600/5700 mm;
wing size including span – 33500 mm;
empty/takeoff weight – 17, 2/35, 2 t;
motors - four "Prath and Whitney" for 1, 2 thousand liters. p.;
speed limit - 488 km/h;
flight range - 3, 7 thousand km;
ammunition - 12.7 mm (10 pieces) and eight 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, four 20 mm guns, bomb stock - 3600 kg;
number of team members - up to 10.

B-32 "Dominator"

This American bomber is a heavy monoplane with cantilevered high wing and three-pillar undercarriage. The technique had a double keel tail plumage, an elongated wing. A total of 118 units of this series were made.

Features:

dimensions - 25300/10100 mm;
wing span - 41200 mm;
empty/takeoff weight - 27000/50500 kg;
motors - four "engines" Wright R-3350 with a power parameter of 2, 2 thousand liters. p.;
speed limit - 575km/h;
range - 4, 8 thousand km;
combat stock - 12.7 mm Browning machine guns (10 pcs.), the bomb kit was 9.1 tons;
team - 10 people

"Douglas" B-18A and A-20 G

Douglas B-18A medium category combat aircraft was manufactured in 1936-38. 350 copies were produced in three main variations. The machine was also operated by the Canadian and Brazilian Air Force.

Parameters:

dimensions - 17600/4600 mm;
wing span - 27300 mm;
empty/take-off weight – 7, 4/12, 6 t;
power units - a pair of Wright R "Cyclone" motors for one thousand hp. p.;
speed threshold - 346 km/h;
flight range - 1.9 thousand km;
in the ammunition load - three 7, 62-millimeter machine gun sets, the stock of bombs - 3000 kg;
composition of the team - 6 people

Another A-20 mid-range bomber has been in production since 1939. Manufactured 7, 5 thousand units of this series. States where the aircraft has been operated: USA, France, UK.

Parameters:

dimensions - 14500/5400 mm;
wing size including span – 18700 mm;
empty/takeoff weight - 6800/12300 kg;
motors - a pair of "engines" Wright R-2600 with a power of 1.7 thousand liters. p.;
maximum speed - 540 km/h;
combat stock - eight machine guns caliber 12.7 mm, bomb weight - 1800 kg;
team - 4 people

American modernbombers

The modern US Air Force is armed with B-52, B-2 (Spirit) and B-1B (Lanzer) strategic bombers. The latest model was developed specifically for delivering nuclear attacks on enemy territory. However, in the 90s, the military aircraft was withdrawn from the army. Aircraft B-1B Lancer are often compared with the Russian Tu-160. It is worth noting that they are inferior in size to the latter. According to available information, 12 V-2 vehicles, 73 V-52 modifications are on alert.

BoeingB-52 Stratofortress

The specified long-range American bomber was created during the Cold War. It belongs to one of the symbols of the superpower and is the basis of the US strategic air force. The aircraft is capable of carrying nuclear charges, the first flight was made in 1952.

It is planned to spend about 12 billion dollars on the modernization of the aircraft. According to experts, each unit of this series is capable of flying for 83 years (until 2040). A total of 744 copies were produced. The aircraft is made according to the standard aerodynamic configuration with an overestimated wing placement. Eight power units are located in twin engine bays. Wing type - all-metal caisson element with a pair of spars.

The crew of the American B-52 bomber includes six people. The upper cockpit is low, designed to accommodate the commander, co-pilot and EW instructor. The keel can be folded to the right for storage in the hangar, the chassis is of a bicycle design, includes four main racks and twosupports at the ends of the wing. The engines are Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines -57.

Features:

length/height – 49.05/12.4m;
wing span – 56.39 m;
take-off weight - 221.5 tons;
maximum speed - 1013 km/h;
radius in combat conditions - 7, 73 thousand km;
run-up – 2.9 km;
armed with a 20 mm Vulcan cannon, bomb load - 27.2 tons.

B-2 Spirit

These American supersonic bombers are the most high-tech and expensive in the world. The price of one copy exceeds two billion dollars. The first models were released back in the 80s of the last century. After 10 years, the program was mothballed due to the high cost of the project, which even the United States could not afford.

During the specified period, 21 units were produced. The planes are made using ste alth technology. This figure is significantly lower than the compact modifications of the F-22 and F-35. The B-2 is equipped only with free-fall bombs, which reduces the effectiveness of using vehicles against an enemy equipped with modern air defense systems. For example, the domestic S-400 air defense system can easily detect Spirit. As a result, these aircraft are classified as rather controversial bombers in terms of effectiveness in a nuclear conflict.

The considered aircraft is made according to the type of "flying wing", has no vertical tail. The structure is mostly made ofaluminum and titanium alloy with carbon fiber components of increased thermal stability.

TTX aircraft B-2:

length/height - 20, 9/5, 45 m;
wing span – 52.4 m;
empty/take-off weight - 56, 7/168, 4 t;
power unit - four engines turbofan General Electric F118-GE;
speed threshold - 1.01 thousand km/h;
practical range - 18.5 thousand km;
crew - 3 people.

Rockwell B-1 Lancer

Many American fighters and bombers were designed with the possibility of nuclear confrontation in mind. This series includes the B-1B model, which was developed specifically for carrying charges with atomic warheads. After the end of the Cold War, these aircraft were converted to be equipped with conventional ammunition, and in the mid-90s they were finally withdrawn from the US strategic forces.

The machine in question had a reinforced chassis and airframe design. This decision made it possible to increase the maximum take-off load. Ste alth technologies were successfully used in the production of the Lancer. The armament block was also modified to take into account the possibility of breaking through enemy air defenses at low altitude.

The first production version of the B-1B took off in 1984, and after 12 months the aircraft were put into service. The bomber is made according to the normal scheme in terms ofaerodynamics, equipped with a low wing placement. The last element has an arrow-shaped configuration and a high-set horizontal tail. The fuselage of the half-monocoque type is equipped with many frames and spars. The casing is made of aluminum alloy. Wing type - caisson element with two spars. Four F101-GE-102 motors are used as engines.

Parameters: