A strategic bomber is a large aircraft designed to drop large amounts of ordnance on a distant target for the purposes of debilitating an enemy's capacity to wage war. Unlike tactical bombers, which are used in the battle zone to attack troops and military equipment, strategic bombers are built to fly into an enemy's heartland to destroy its factories and cities. Strategic bombers can of course be used for tactical missions.

During the Cold War both the U.S. and USSR kept strategic bombers ready to launch at a moment's notice as part of the deterrent strategy of Mutual Assured Destruction. For a time, B-52 bombers were kept in the air around the clock, orbiting fail-safe points near the Soviet border.

Strategic bombers of note include:

WWI:

• Zeppelin
• Gotha

WWII:

• Avro Lancaster
• Short Stirling

• B-17 Flying Fortress
• B-24 Liberator
• B-29 Superfortress

Cold War

• B-36 Peacemaker
• B-47
• B-52 Stratofortress
• B-58 Hustler

• Victor
• Avro Vulcan

• Myasishchev M-4
• Tupoloev Tu-95 'Bear'
• Backfire

Modern Era:

• B-1 Lancer
• B-2 Spirit

See also

• Strategic bombing
• Strategic triad
• carpet bombing
• tactical bombing