[3] According to certain assertions, the Boeing NB-52B Stratofortress, Air Force 52-0008, is the aircraft that has witnessed and taken part in the most historical aeronautical research events.

While flying nine miles above the ground, it had to provide the rocket planes it carried with the propellants, gasses, and power typically associated with a launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center.

The re-engineered Stratofortress had launched a number of wingless lift-off bodies that showed the feasibility of the Space Shuttle’s steep gliding approach to landings.

By flying past a tower equipped with smoke generators, it helped researchers visualize the wake turbulence of a large aircraft.

On its final mission it launched the third X-43A Hyper-X supersonic combustion ramjet on a modified Pegasus booster that ,propelled it to a speed of Mach-9.6 (7,365mph or 11,854 kph) at an altitude of 110,000 feet.

[4] Future aerospace vehicles with a speed of more than 7,000 kilometers an hour are presaged by the successful operation of supersonic combustion ramjet engine.

On December 17, 2004 the NB-52B was honored at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards Air Force Base with a retirement ceremony for its unique contribution to aviation history.

It also flew missions for the X-24, HiMAT, lifting body vehicles, X-43, early launches of the OSC Pegasus rocket, and numerous other programs.

It is on permanent public display near the north gate of Edwards Air Force Base in California.