As the war worsened in Korea, the USAF in 1951 designated the B-52 the country's next intercontinental bomber and approved an initial production order for 13 B-52s. The B-52s increased in range, power and capability with each variant. The B-52H made its first flight March 6, 1961, and is still in service. In all, 744 B-52s were produced by Seattle, Wash., and Wichita, Kan., plants between 1952 and 1962.