B-52 Chronology
Many Tradeoffs: Speed, Range, Payload, Weight
AAF Long-Range Turbine Bomber Requirements
Apr 1945
Specific Requirements 10K lb, 10K mi, 450 mph
Nov 1945
T35, T37 Available
Boeing 462 Offered (non-swept, 360,000 lb)
Feb 1946
With 6 x T35-1, 410 mph
Study Contract for Boeing 462
Jun 1946
None for Convair, Martin
464-16,-17 Offered (480,000 lb, 3,750 mi)
Dec 1946
4 x T35-3, LeMay Request, 400 mph
USAF Give Boeing more $ for 464-17 Study
Feb 1947
With T35
Cancellation considered by DOD
Early 1947
Fought off by Boeing, LeMay
464-25 Offered
Mar 1947
12K lb
USAF Issue New Requirements
Jun 1947
10K lb, 12K mi, 400 mph
464-29 Offered (400,000 lb) Mild Sweep
Aug 1947
10K mi, 455mph
USAF Contract for Mock-Up
2 Sep 1947
With T35-3
USAF Issues New Requirements (8k mi,550 mph)
Dec 1947
$2.35M Spent to Date
USAF Mock-Up Inspection
Jan 1948
Cancel Contract/Re-Start
Jan 1948
USAF Go-Ahead for 464-35 (300,000 lb)
Feb 1948
With T35-5, 500 mph, 8K mi
USAF Contract for 2 Prototypes, due 2-51
Mar 1948
$29.4M, Still with T35
USAF Ask for Use of J40
May 1948
Study
Boeing Proposed 464-40 with J40
Jul 1948
5.3K mi, 280,000 lb
USAF Asks Boeing to Use J57
21 Oct 1948
464-49 Proposed 24 Oct 1948
USAF Contract Mod to Use 8 x J57
26 Jan 1949
330,000 lb, 35° Sweep
USAF Mock-Up Inspection
29 Apr 1949
Air Staff Approval
1 Oct 1949
Boeing Proposed Definitive XB-52, 464-67
Nov 1949
390,000 lb, 7K mi, 10K Payload
USAF Selects 464-67 as B-52
24 Mar 1950
519 mph Cruise
USAF Approves Production of B-52
9 Jan 1951
First Batch = 13
XB-52 Rollout
29 Nov 1951
YB-52 First Flight
15 Apr 1952