B52 Tail Gun History

Introduction to the B52 Tail Gun

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber used by the United States Air Force since the 1950s. One of the most distinctive features of the B-52 is its tail gun, which has been a part of the aircraft’s design since its inception. The tail gun was intended to defend the bomber from enemy fighter aircraft, and it has undergone significant changes over the years. In this article, we will explore the history of the B-52 tail gun, its development, and its evolution over time.

Early Development of the B-52 Tail Gun

The B-52 was designed in the late 1940s, and the initial prototype, the XB-52, first flew in 1952. The early B-52 models were equipped with a tail gun turret, which was designed to house a pair of .50-caliber M3 machine guns. The turret was remotely controlled by the gunner, who was stationed in the rear of the aircraft. The gunner used a periscope to aim the guns, and the turret was powered by an electric motor. The early tail gun system was relatively simple, but it proved to be effective in defending the B-52 from enemy fighters.

Evolution of the B-52 Tail Gun

Over the years, the B-52 tail gun has undergone significant upgrades and modifications. In the 1960s, the .50-caliber M3 machine guns were replaced with 20mm M61 Vulcan cannons. The M61 Vulcan is a six-barreled, electrically driven cannon that is capable of firing at a rate of 6,600 rounds per minute. The new cannon system was more powerful and effective than the earlier machine guns, and it remained in service until the 1990s. In the 1990s, the B-52 tail gun was upgraded again, this time with the 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon being replaced with a 12.7mm GAU-19/B Gatling gun. However, this upgrade was short-lived, and the tail gun was eventually removed from the B-52 in the late 1990s.

Reasons for the Removal of the B-52 Tail Gun

The removal of the B-52 tail gun was due to several factors. One of the main reasons was the changing nature of modern warfare. With the advent of surface-to-air missiles and air-to-air missiles, the need for a tail gun to defend against enemy fighters became less important. Additionally, the development of stealth technology and advanced avionics made it possible for bombers to penetrate enemy airspace without being detected. Another reason for the removal of the tail gun was the reduction in crew size. The B-52 had originally been designed to have a crew of six, but with the advancement of technology, the crew size was reduced to five, and eventually, to four. The removal of the tail gun allowed for the reduction in crew size, as the gunner was no longer needed.

Legacy of the B-52 Tail Gun

Although the B-52 tail gun is no longer in service, it remains an important part of the aircraft’s history. The tail gun played a significant role in the development of the B-52, and it was an important factor in the aircraft’s ability to defend itself against enemy fighters. The technology developed for the tail gun also had a lasting impact on the development of aircraft defense systems. Today, the B-52 remains in service, albeit without its tail gun, and it continues to play an important role in the United States Air Force.

Year	Model	Armament
1952	XB-52	.50-caliber M3 machine guns
1960s	B-52	20mm M61 Vulcan cannons
1990s	B-52	12.7mm GAU-19/B Gatling gun

💡 Note: The information provided in this article is based on historical records and may not reflect the current status of the B-52 tail gun.

In summary, the B-52 tail gun has a rich history, from its early development to its eventual removal. The tail gun played a significant role in the aircraft’s defense, and its technology had a lasting impact on the development of aircraft defense systems. Although the tail gun is no longer in service, it remains an important part of the B-52’s history.