B-52 Stratofortress vs Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker
Top speed, range, size and history side by side. Each was built for its own job, so this shows how they differ, not which is better.
The B-52 Stratofortress is faster: 1,047 km/h against 933 km/h for the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker. The B-52 Stratofortress flies further: 14,080 km against 2,419 km for the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker. The B-52 Stratofortress has the wider wingspan: 56.4 m against 39.9 m for the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker. The B-52 Stratofortress is heavier at takeoff: 220 tonnes against 146 tonnes for the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker. The B-52 Stratofortress first flew in 1952, 4 years before the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker (1956).
| B-52 Stratofortress | Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker |
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| Top speed | 1,047 km/h (651 mph) | 933 km/h (580 mph) |
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| Range | 14,080 km (8,749 miles) | 2,419 km (1,503 miles) |
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| Length | 48.5 m (159 ft) | 41.5 m (136 ft) |
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| Wingspan | 56.4 m (185 ft) | 39.9 m (131 ft) |
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| Max takeoff weight | 220 t (485,012 lb) | 146 t (322,533 lb) |
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| First flight | 1952 | 1956 |
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| Crew and capacity | 5 crew | 3 crew, including the boom operator |
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| Engines | 8 × TF33 turbofan | 4 × CFM International F108 turbofan |
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| Built by | Boeing | Boeing |
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| Country | USA | USA |
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