B-52 and C-17 Highlight U.S. Air Force Materiel Command Aircraft for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024

Photo courtesy of US Air Force

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (June 20, 2024) — The massive B-52 bomber and C-17 Globemaster highlight the confirmed aircraft representing the U.S. Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) during the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh annual showcase of Air Force commands. The 71st edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention is July 22-28 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

The five airplanes displayed on Boeing Plaza will exhibit the mission of the Materiel Command, which handles the discovery, development, and testing of weapons systems used by the Air Force on all of its aircraft. Those aircraft include:

B-52H Bomber Stratofortress – The B52H is a long range, strategic bomber that can trace its origins all the way back to 1945. The bomber can carry up to 80,000 pounds of ordinance and has a combat-range of up to 8,800 miles. This aircraft is based out of Edwards Air Force Base in California.

F-15EX Eagle II – The F-15EX is a variant of the F-15E “Strike Eagle,” designed to further improve upon and update the F-15E, including better avionics and a revised wing structure that increased service life to 20,000 hours.

C-17 Globemaster III – The C-17 is a large cargo airplane, capable of airlifting heavy-duty military equipment and has been used to aid in humanitarian efforts in the aftermath of numerous natural disasters. Each of the four Pratt and Whitney engines produce 40,400 pounds of thrust, leading to an operational range of nearly 3,000 miles.

Beechcraft C-12 Huron – The C-12 is the military designation for a series of twin-prop aircraft based on the Beechcraft 1900 and Super King Air. C-12 aircraft are used for various purposes such as light cargo transport, embassy support, and medical evacuation.

X-40 Space Maneuver Vehicle – The X-40 is an unmanned, unpowered glide test vehicle created as a test platform for the X-37 Future-X reuseable launch vehicle. It was originally created by Boeing and was then transferred to NASA, which modified it to conduct further testing. The X-40 will be on display along with a B-52 munitions display inside a tent adjoining Boeing Plaza.

The AFMC will be bringing a large number of personnel who will be describe their mission and plans for the future. The AFMC will also be featured during an evening program at the Theater in the Woods on July 27, where the focus will be test pilot school and the impact on global aviation.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s membership convention. Additional information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available at www.EAA.org/airventure. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.EAA.org.