National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
Hound Dog
The Hound Dog was an air-launched supersonic nuclear missile designed to destroy heavily defended ground targets. Specially modified B-52 bombers carried two Hound Dogs, one beneath each wing. Typically a Hound Dog would be launched at 45,000 feet, climb to over 56,000 feet, cruise to the target area, and then dive to the target. The missile's range of more than 600 miles allowed long-distance "stand-off" launching, which reduced the risk to the B-52. The Hound Dog entered service with the Strategic Air Command (SAC) in December 1959.
The AGM-28B Hound Dog, an advanced version of the A, first flew in May 1961. It incorporated an improved guidance system and had greater range. Almost 700 AGM-28s were built before production ended in 1963. In 1976 the AGM-28 was removed from alert status, and the last Hound Dogs left the U.S. Air Force inventory in 1978.
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Armament: Thermonuclear warhead
Engine: One Pratt & Whitney J52 turbojet of 7,500 lbs. thrust
Cruising speed: 1,200 mph
Range: 785 miles
Operating altitude: 200 ft. to 56,200 ft.
Span: 12 ft. 2 in.
Length: 42 ft. 6 in.
Height: 9 ft. 4 in.
Weight: 10, 147 lbs.
Source: United States Air Force
B-52B Stratofortress 52-0013
Designed by the Boeing Company, the first flight of the B model was made on January 25, 1955. Of the first thirteen B-52s delivered to the United States Air Force, ten were B models.
The B model was outwardly identical to the A model, but had an increased reconnaissance capability. The B model also had the improved MA-6A bombing navigation system. Fifty B-52BS were produced before production began of the B-52C.
The B-52B on exhibit was accepted by Major Jerome L. Blanchard on April 29, 1955 at the Boeing Plant in Seattle, Washington. Major Blanchard then flew it to Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
This aircraft was assigned to the Special Weapons Center at Kirkland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, NM. It participated in several nuclear test series. In May 1956, during Operation Redwing Cherokee, it was the first B-52 to drop a hydrogen bomb. In 1962, it participated in Operation Dominic, which were the last atmospheric tests conducted by the United States.
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The B-52 is the longest serving strategic aircraft in the United States Air Force. Since the mid-1950s B-52 crews stood ready to deliver nuclear warheads, flying from bases in the United States. Until the late 1960s, aircraft equipped with live nuclear weapons were maintained on airborne alert.
With the advent of surface-to-air missiles-in the 1960s, the B-52 successfully shifted from high to low level weapon delivery. The war in Vietnam brought a different mission: high level tactical bombing with old-fashion conventional 'iron' bombs. A mission it would repeat decades later, in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Built in several production versions, the B-52 has been in service long enough to have outlived the Strategic Air Command itself. Today, it is still flying, and will do so well into the 21st Century. One saying that is popular with today's aircrews is: "The last B-52 pilot hasn't been born."
General Specifications: B-52B
Armament: Two 20mm cannons or four 50 caliber machine guns, 43,000 Ibs. of bombs
Engines: Eight Pratt & Whitney J57-P-1W
Maximum Speed: 630 mph. at 20,000 ft.
Cruising Speed: 525 mph.
Range: 3590 miles at combat weight. 7,350 miles maximum ferry range
Service Ceiling: 47,000 ft. at combat weight
Span: 185 ft.
Length: 156 ft. 7 in.
Weights: Empty 164,081 Ibs; combat 293,100 Ibs, maximum take-off 420,00O Ibs
Crew: Six to eight depending on mission
Source: United States Air Force
This aircraft is on loan from the National Museum of the United Sates Air Force.
