Habermehl, C. Mike/Hopkins III., Robert S. Boeing B-47 Stratojet. Strategic Air Command's Transitional Bomber

The B-47 was the aircraft upon which Strategic Air Command (SAC) based its capability pending the development and delivery of the B-52. First proposed during the Second World War as a high-speed piston-powered reconnaissance platform, the B-47 evolved into what would become the first swept-wing, medium jet bomber and SACs most numerous operational aircraft. Given its pioneering role as a jet bomber and the ongoing evolution of SACs mission and US national security, the B-47 had more than its share of teething problems. Initial Boeing flight tests mixed triumph with tragedy, and demonstrated that an entirely new way of flying a large aircraft was required. Poor reliability in the bombing-navigation and fire-control systems undermined the effectiveness of early B-47Bs but were eventually overcome as the aircraft evolved to fill many different roles. Used as reconnaissance, weather, testbed and radio relay platforms, the EB-47E "Blue Cradle" variant also demonstrated its versatility as an electronic warfare jammer whilst the RB-47H, ERB-47H, and EB-47E(TT) undertook electronic intelligence and gathered telemetry associated with the Soviet ICBM program. Includes, individual data on each of the 2,200 airplanes and detailed summaries of all losses.

In addition to its role as a bomber for the US Strategic Air Command, the B-47 was also used as a reconnaissance aircraft, weather and test aircraft, radio relay station and in electronic warfare.