THE GULF WAR: The Battle Front : B-52G Stratofortress

B-52G bombers have played an important role in the air attacks on Iraq’s elite Republican Guard. The giant Boeing-built bombers also participated in the Friday’s sorties, carpet-bombing targets along the Saudi-Kuwait border.

The long-range planes, which entered service with the Strategic Air Command in 1955, were originally designed to carry nuclear bombs, but have since been adapted to carry other types of missiles and ordnance. The planes were used extensively during the latter part of the Vietnam War. Crew: 6 Maximum range: 7,500 miles Maximum speed: 509 m.p.h. Armament: Four 50-caliber machine guns Gravity bombs up to 2,000 pounds each Smart missiles