11 photos of the legendary B-52 Stratofortress bomber, which just returned home from Iraq and Afghanistan

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11 photos of the legendary B-52 Stratofortress bomber, which just returned home from Iraq and Afghanistan

B-52H Stratofortress

US Air Force

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The US Air Force recently announced that the last squadrons of the legendary B-52 Stratofortress have returned home after concluding operations against ISIS in the Middle East and the Taliban in Afghanistan.

"Following two years of B-52 squadrons employing nearly 12,000 weapons on Islamic State and Taliban targets across U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility, the venerable BUFF flew its last mission April 7 before turning over the bomber duty reins to the newly arrived B-1B Lancer," an Air Force spokesman said in a statement.

The bomber, nicknamed the BUFF for "Big Ugly Fat Fellow," has been in service with the Air Force for 63 years, the last two of which it served as US Central Command's go-to bomber.

Here's what it can do:

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Developed by Boeing, the B-52 made its maiden flight in 1952, and costs about $84 million each.

Developed by Boeing, the B-52 made its maiden flight in 1952, and costs about $84 million each.

Boeing is one of the largest defense contractors and political donors in the US.

Source: US Air Force

The bomber can conduct attack, close-air support, air interdiction, offensive counter-air, and maritime missions.

The bomber can conduct attack, close-air support, air interdiction, offensive counter-air, and maritime missions.

Source: US Air Force

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It's powered by eight Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofan engines, each providing the bomber with 17,000 pounds of thrust.

It's powered by eight Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofan engines, each providing the bomber with 17,000 pounds of thrust.

Source: US Air Force

It has a maximum speed of 650 miles per hour, a maximum range of 8,800 miles, and a maximum altitude of 50,000 feet.

It has a maximum speed of 650 miles per hour, a maximum range of 8,800 miles, and a maximum altitude of 50,000 feet.

Source: US Air Force

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It also has a five-person crew — an aircraft commander, a pilot, and ...

It also has a five-person crew — an aircraft commander, a pilot, and ...

Source: US Air Force

a radar navigator, a electronic warfare officer, and a navigator.

a radar navigator, a electronic warfare officer, and a navigator.

Source: US Air Force

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The B-52 has a payload of about 70,000 pounds. It's able to carry a variety of bombs, mines, and missiles. It can even carry air-launched cruise missiles.

The B-52 has a payload of about 70,000 pounds. It's able to carry a variety of bombs, mines, and missiles. It can even carry air-launched cruise missiles.

Source: US Air Force

It's able to drop and launch the widest variety of weapons of any US aircraft, including gravity bombs, cluster bombs, precision guided missiles, and joint direct attack munitions.

It's able to drop and launch the widest variety of weapons of any US aircraft, including gravity bombs, cluster bombs, precision guided missiles, and joint direct attack munitions.

Source: US Air Force

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In February, the B-52 dropped a record number of smart bombs on the Taliban in Afghanistan, unloading 24 precision-guided munitions in a 96-hour period.

In February, the B-52 dropped a record number of smart bombs on the Taliban in Afghanistan, unloading 24 precision-guided munitions in a 96-hour period.

The US announced in November 2017 that it would begin targeting the Taliban's revenue sources, much of which is opium and heroin, with airstrikes. But the new strategy has been criticized by some as a game of "whack-a-mole" since the Taliban can reportedly rebuild their drug labs in just a few days.

Source: Business Insider

The US currently has 58 active and 18 reserve B-52s.

The US currently has 58 active and 18 reserve B-52s.

Source: US Air Force

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And plans to keep the bomber flying until at least 2040.

And plans to keep the bomber flying until at least 2040.

Source: US Air Force