Current Operations
Weapons Carriage Capability of the B-52H
Having received numerous requests for "how many bombs can the B-52 carry?", we put together this list.
CONVENTIONAL
Bombs
- MK82 (500 lb) - 51
- MK84 (2000 lb) - 18
- MK117 (750 lb) - 51
- BDU-48 - 17
CBU
- CBU-87 - 40
- CBU-89 - 42
Laser Guided
- GBU-10 - 8 to 10
- GBU-12 - 10
- GBU-28 - 4
Other Advanced
- JDAM - 12 JSOW - 12 (in development) WCMD - 16
Missiles
- Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missiles (CALCM) - 20
- Harpoon (Anti-Ship Missile) - 8
- AGM-142 (television guided missile) - 4 [Normal load is 3 with a controller, 4 can be carried with a "hand off to another aircraft with a controller pod installed.]
Mines
- MK56 - 20
- MK62 - 51
- MK63 - 18
- MK65 - 18
NUCLEAR
- Advanced Cruise Missiles (ACM) - 12
- Air Launched Cruise Missiles (ALCM) - 20
- Bombs - 8
NOTE 1: Please note that these are MAXIMUM configurations and do not necessarily indicate loads commonly carried on the aircraft. Capacities as listed are for carriage of that weapon type only and not in combination with other weapons. For example, you cannot carry 51 500 lb bombs and 30 1000 lb bombs at the same time.
NOTE 2: We have received a number of letters stating something to the effect that "I know the aircraft can carry more bombs than you say", etc. Many people recall that the "Big Belly" modified D models could carry many more weapons (which they could). The H cannot carry as many bombs as the modified D's could. There may be variations where it is possible to carry more or less weapons than indicated here.
