Boeing B-52D

One of the “Big Belly” B-52Ds releasing its 60,000-pound bomb load of bombs on enemy targets in Vietnam. It could carry up to 84 500-pound bombs or 42 750-pound bombs internally and 24 750-pound bombs externally on racks under the wings. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Boeing B-52

Bombs without fuses ready to be loaded onto the B-52 in the background. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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The "Big Belly" Bomber

Dense foliage in South Vietnam made locating targets almost impossible, forcing the U.S. Air Force to use area, or "carpet," bombing. To support this tactic, the "Big Belly" program modified the bomb bays of many B-52Ds to carry more conventional bombs. Unmodified B-52Ds could carry only 27 even 500-pound or 750-pound bombs, but the Big Belly could carry 84 500-pound or 42 750-pound bombs.
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Boeing B-52D Stratofortress

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