What is the takeoff speed of a B-52 bomber?

650 mph
B-52 Technical Specifications

Primary Function Heavy bomber
Max Takeoff Weight 488,000 lbs (219,600 kg)
Fuel Capacity 312,197 lbs
Payload 70,000 lbs (31,500 kg)
Speed 650 mph (Mach 0.86)

What is MITO air force?

A MITO is a maneuver B-52 crews can use to get their aircraft off the ground as quickly as possible to complete a mission. Each aircraft is equipped with eight starter cartridges, filled with gunpowder, which allow the engines to start up quicker than a normal take-off.

What is a tactical takeoff?

Tactical use This meant that the aircraft were launched as quickly as twelve seconds between bombers, and fifteen seconds between the tankers. Typically, takeoff clearance was received by the aircraft once the aircraft ahead of it was on the runway.

Why do B-52 engines smoke?

The B-52 still uses older generation engines. All these older generation engines were designed when fuel was cheap. They were far less fuel efficient and the black smoke you see is mostly un-burned fuel.

What is an Air Force Elephant Walk?

To put it succinctly, an elephant walk is a term used by the U.S. Air Force for the taxiing of military aircraft in close formation right before takeoff.

Why does the C-17 have a stick?

The C-17 Control Stick Grip, part of the fly-by-wire system, is the main pilot/aircraft interface for flight, avionic and defensive systems. The stick grip provides a variety of single and multi-function switch assemblies for aircraft trim control, communications, display management and nosewheel steering.

Are B-52 bombers still in use?

The B-52 has been in service with the USAF since 1955. As of June 2019, there are 76 aircraft in inventory; 58 operated by active forces (2nd Bomb Wing and 5th Bomb Wing), 18 by reserve forces (307th Bomb Wing), and about 12 in long-term storage at the Davis-Monthan AFB Boneyard.

What does Mito stand for in Air Force?

A minimum interval takeoff (MITO) is a technique of the United States Air Force for scrambling all available bomber and tanker aircraft at twelve- and fifteen-second intervals, respectively. Before takeoff, the aircraft perform an elephant walk to the runway.

How long is the MITO interval on a KC-135?

KC-135 tanker aircraft of Pease and Plattsburgh used a twelve-second MITO interval using the runway centerline. One B-52 was involved in a crash during a MITO when the aircraft stalled.

Who was killed during a minimum interval takeoff?

On 4 January 1961, during a minimum interval takeoff from Pease AFB, a B-47E, 53-4244, of the 100th Bomb Wing, second of a three-ship cell, lost control, crashed into trees, and burned. The aircraft commander, Capt. Thomas C. Weller, co-pilot 1st Lt. Ronald Chapo, navigator 1st Lt. J. A. Wether, and crew chief S/Sgt. Stephen J. Merva were killed.