Latest news with #B-52Stratofortress
Business Insider
2 days ago
- General
- Business Insider
America's oldest bombers have officially been flying for the Air Force for 70 years
This past weekend marked another decade in service for America's oldest bomber. The B-52 Stratofortress,affectionately nicknamed the "Big Ugly Fat Fellow," has been flying for the US Air Force for 70 years. The air service has been upgrading the strategic bomber for years, allowing it to continue to play a key role in the Air Force's long-range strike capability. Far from a relic, the plane can serve as a conventional missile truck and a nuclear deterrent. Over the weekend, Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs celebrated the 70th anniversary of the delivery of the first operational B-52, which was originally delivered on June 29, 1955, to the 93rd Bomb Wing at Castle Air Force Base in California. "For seven decades, the B-52 has stood as a symbol of American airpower," the command said in a press release. "With its unmistakable silhouette and dual-capable nature, the Stratofortress continues to serve as a visible and credible strategic deterrent for the United States and its allies." There are 72 B-52 bombers active with the Air Force, with some in conventional roles and others still able to serve in a nuclear capacity. Others that are no longer in active service remain in long-term storage at the Air Force's "boneyard" in Arizona. Since the 1950s, the B-52 made by Boeing Military Airplane Co. has undergone numerous upgrades that have preserved the lumbering aircraft as a formidable bomber for the Air Force. The B-52 remains a reliable platform for long-range strategic bomber missions even though it lacks the speed of the B-1 Lancers and the stealth of the B-2 Spirits, which were used to drop bombs on three of Iran's nuclear facilities earlier this month. The bomber boasts a lighter maintenance lift, lower operational costs, and a heavy payload. The B-52 can carry an estimated 70,000 tons of mixed ordnance, from stand-off cruise missiles to weapons like naval mines. Emerging hypersonic weapons have also been tested on the bombers. Though built during the Cold War to function as a high-altitude strategic bomber, it can serve a range of missions. The B-52's airframe and durable design have kept the planes in good condition over the decades. And upgrades to their weapons capacities, communications and radars, hardware, and software have kept the planes modern, as well as capable of receiving future updates. "Since its creation, the B-52 has anchored strategic deterrence for the nation," said Maj. Gen. Jason Armagost, Eighth Air Force and Joint Global Strike Operations Center commander, per the release. He added that the Air Force is looking "to the next model to serve as the physical embodiment of the idea of peace through strength and carry us into the 2050s." Plans for the next version of the B-52, the J-model, include engine and radar upgrades, as well as a new long-range stand-off missile that will replace the plane's aging air-launched cruise missiles. But these planned updates have faced challenges. A US Government Accountability Office report said last year that the engine replacement program, which seeks to substitute the B-52's older engines with new military-configured commercial ones, was delayed "in part due to funding shortfalls to complete the detailed design." The operational capability date for these engines was delayed to three years after initially planned. The Air Force originally announced plans to update these engines back in 2021 for improved fuel usage and easier maintenance. The cost, too, jumped from $8 billion to about $9 billion. Costs to replace the radars of the B-52s to provide greater range and resistance to electronic warfare countermeasures also saw an increase, per the GAO. The upgrades are critical for the Air Force to follow its plan of keeping B-52s active into the 2050s, a plan that would see the plane fly for a century. Last year, the B-52 bomber successfully conducted a first-of-its-kind test of the All-Up-Round AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, a hypersonic missile, in the Western Pacific. The missile is a multi-stage, boost-glided weapon with a hypersonic glide body that can maneuver at high speeds. Such weapons are difficult to intercept, and the US military and its rivals have heavily prioritized the development of hypersonic weapons in recent years. While the missile received mixed results throughout testing, leaving its future in the Air Force's arsenal unclear, it marked an interesting moment for the B-52, which continues to be important for long-range strategic missions.
Middle East Eye
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
British opposition figures warn of dangers of US using UK base in potential Iran attack
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired an emergency Cobra meeting on Wednesday afternoon to discuss Britain's response if the US enters the conflict between Israel and Iran. Much of the discussion hinged on Diego Garcia, a shadowy UK-US military base deep in the Indian Ocean. The strategic base puts US bomber aircraft within 5,300 kilometres of Iran and could allow them to attack Iran while avoiding Gulf airspace. It means that if the US directly intervenes, Britain will almost certainly find itself heavily involved - even if it does not help protect Israel from Iranian strikes. On Monday, four US B-52 Stratofortress bombers - which can carry precision-guided bombs - were sighted on a Diego Garcia runway, according to the Daily Mail. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters After the Cobra meeting it emerged that the British government will have to sign off on the US use of the base in any bombing raid on Iran. Independent MP Adnan Hussain told MEE: "If the UK permits the US to use its bases for offensive operations against Iran, and especially if those attacks originate from UK sovereign territory, then it could be considered directly involved in the conflict - legally a co-belligerent." Hussain added: "This would expose the UK to retaliation and Iranian counterattacks, in essence it could result in all out involvement." Base within attack range of Iran Deputy Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who is standing to lead the party, told MEE: "Israel's attack on Iran is illegal. "Starmer claims to want de-escalation - yet dragging the UK into their illegal war does the opposite." Diego Garcia is almost certain to play a crucial role in any future American attacks on Iran, given its proximity to the country. UK lobbying US against sanctioning ICC over Israel war crimes probe Read More » Iranian military officials have repeatedly warned Israel's allies that they could be attacked if they help defend Israel. Iran's Shahed-136B kamikaze drones have the range to attack the base, which houses around 4,000 people, mostly members of the American military and contractors. Scottish National Party MP Chris Law told MEE: "The UK government must recognise the seriousness of the situation and understand that any such decision will require the support of parliament. 'Any use of UK military bases for US military action in Iran would be a significant escalation in this conflict, and it is imperative that Parliament be consulted and votes be held before any such decision is taken." If the US asks the Starmer government for permission to use the base for an attack, Starmer would be expected to seek advice from Jonathan Powell, his national security adviser, who was Tony Blair's chief of staff when Britain invaded Iraq in 2003. Hussain said: "The UK should continue with its focus on diplomatic solutions, as this is the only real solution to the issue. "An all-out war, especially with modern methods of warfare and talks of the potentiality of nuclear weapons would be a disaster not just for those involved but the whole world." Polanski added: "A million marched against Iraq, and the chaos and destruction that followed remain Labour's shameful legacy. "They must learn from history."
The Irish Sun
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Trump's B-52s will flatten Mullahs' terror regime if Iran doesn't stop race to nuclear armageddon, ex-Mossad chief warns
AMERICA will unleash its B-52 bombers on Iran if it accelerates its nuclear scheme to create an atomic weapon, an ex-Mossad chief has warned. It comes amid growing fears Tehran's furious regime leaders could rush to develop a nuke bomb after vowing bloody revenge on Israel. Advertisement 4 A US B-52 Stratofortress heavy bomber drops bombs. Stock picture Credit: Getty 4 The Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept Iranian missiles over Tel Aviv Credit: AP 4 Smoke rises from an oil refinery, northwest of Tehran, Iran Credit: Getty Iran was pummeled with an unprecedented blitz on its nuclear bases on Friday by Israel - which wiped out top commanders. Israel has so far acted alone in its mission to severely deplete Iran's nuclear ambitions after the US stepped back from plans to blitz the rogue state. The arch-enemy nations have continued to trade blows as the But a former top staffer of Mossad - Israel's intelligence agency - said the US will no doubt join Israel's campaign should Iran succeed in its bid to develop a nuclear bomb. Advertisement More on Israel The insider warned Donald Trump could even deploy America's nuclear-capable He insisted "no US president will allow Iran to have a nuclear bomb while he's serving in the White House" and that Tehran would "pay the price". It comes after the US military stationed several B-2 Spirit stealth bombers on the highly strategic island of Diego Garcia. Meanwhile today the $4.5billion US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz is heading towards the Advertisement Most read in The Sun Data from ship tracking website Marine Traffic shows the 1,092ft long carrier left the South China Sea this morning and is heading west towards the war-torn region. A formal reception in Danang City later this week has been called off due to "an emergent operational requirement", a source told Reuters. Spiralling tensions in the region come as Trump issued a stark warning to Iran's bloodthirsty leaders - avoid striking US targets or face the 'full strength and might' of America's military. Iran-Israel conflict could spiral into 'forever war' | Major General Chip Chapman The US president wrote on Truth Social: "If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before. Advertisement "However, we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict." Trump has insisted Iran thrash out a deal aimed at downgrading its nuke programme - but talks, that were supposed to resume on June 15, have so far stalled. But the Middle East risks exploding into all-out war as Israel and Iran pummel each other with missiles. The ex-Mossad top brass, however, urged European nations to 'seize the moment' to draw a red line under Iran's nuke programme. Advertisement Sun's trip onboard USS Nimitz by Ryan Parry, Senior Reporter AS America sends the flagship USS Nimitz supercarrier to the Middle East amid rising tensions, the Sun reveals what life is like onboard. The Sun spent two days on board the Nimitz, nicknamed Old Salt, a $4.5billion nuclear-powered supercarrier weighing almost 100,000 tons. The warship is 1,092ft long and 252ft wide and has a four and a half acre flight deck. The massive 117,000 sq ft warship boasts four aircraft catapults and jets are brought up to the deck using four giant elevators from the hangar deep below the 4.5 acre flight deck. The supercarrier, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 11, holds F/A-18 Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers and F-35C stealth strike fighters. Inside the ten floor, 3,000 room hull underneath the flight deck life is one slick operation. There are several cafeterias, gyms, a Starbucks coffee shop and 'luxury' state rooms for 'Distinguished Visitors'. Since it is nuclear-powered, the Nimitz – call sign NMTZ - can operate for up to 20 years without refueling. The Nimitz is the world's second largest supercarrier, only behind the Gerald R Ford. Fears have been growing internationally that Iran is on the verge of creating a nuclear bomb, despite the regime's insistence its scheme is for civilian purposes to generate energy. Last week, the UN's watchdog confirmed Iran is not complying with its nuclear obligations for the first time in two decades. The former intelligence agent has appealed for Western countries to take advantage of the situation for fundamental change while Iran is "completely exposed". They said: "I think that the Europeans should stand with the Americans and tell Iran enough is enough. Advertisement "Tell the Iranian guys, knock it off. 'Let's do it. Let's take it. Let's seize this moment to do something positive. 'It seems to me that this is an opportunity to have a red line to the Iranians." 4 Advertisement At least eight people were killed when Iranian missiles blitzed Tel Aviv and port city Haifa this morning. Israel's military meanwhile said it had killed four senior intelligence officials -including the head of the Revolutionary Guards' intelligence unit. A military spokesman also claimed Israel had achieved aerial superiority over Iran and had destroyed more than a third of Iran's surface-to-surface missile launchers. At least 100 people were wounded in Israel in the overnight blitz, part of a wave of attacks by Tehran in retaliation for Israel's strikes. Advertisement Israel's defence minister Israel Katz warned that Iran would "pay the price and soon". He said: "The arrogant dictator of Tehran has become a cowardly murderer who targets the civilian home front in Israel to deter the IDF from continuing the attack that is collapsing his capabilities." What is the B-52 bomber? The B-52 Stratofortress is a US Air Force's heavy bomber which has been in use since the mid-1950s. One of the reasons why the plane - which has a 150ft wingspan - is still in use is its staggering flying range of 9,000 miles. And then there's the awe inspiring payload capability. In fact its enormous size means they can carry more than 30 tonnes of bombs. The hulking bomber can also be fitted with large numbers of nuclear-able cruise missiles and precision air-to-surface rockets. B-52s were synonymous with the bombing of North Vietnam and Cambodia in the 1960s and 1970s during the Cold War. Its destructive capability was also demonstrated in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars where they were used to demolish caves and underground facilities. The majority of the 76-strong fleet are based at Barksdale in Louisiana and Minot in North Dakota. The planes also fly missions from bases outside the US, including the UK and Spain.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia sends its most valuable planes as far away from Ukraine as possible
Russia has scattered its most valuable warplanes to a remote airbase in the far east of the country, after a surprise Ukrainian drone attack devastated its strategic bomber fleet last Sunday. Two Tupolev Tu-160 planes have been moved 4,000 miles from the front lines to the remote Anadyr airbase, which can only be accessed by air and sea, satellite imagery showed. Located on the desolate Chukotka Peninsula, the airfield is around 410 miles from Alaska and was set up during the Cold War to defend Russia from potential US attacks. The supersonic Tu-160 bombers can carry nuclear weapons and are by far the most expensive in Russia's inventory, with a price tag of around $500 million per unit. By comparison, the B-52 Stratofortress, the mainstay of the US's bomber fleet, has an estimated value of roughly $94 million. In addition to being expensive, Tu-160s are rare. Russia is thought to have only 16 operational airframes, and Ukraine said it damaged some in last Sunday's attacks. Prof Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow for air power at the Royal United Services Institute, told the i newspaper that imagery from the Anadyr base could suggest Moscow was trying to reduce the risk of more drone attacks. Dubbed 'Operation Spider's Web', the June 1 strikes were the result of 18 months of meticulous planning by Ukraine's security service (SBU), which on Wednesday released a video detailing how the strikes played out. Agents smuggled 'cheap drones' into Russia, 'right under the nose' of the Russian security agency, captions from the video read. These drones were placed inside modified wooden cabins mounted on the back of lorries, then driven to locations near their targets by drivers who were seemingly unaware of their cargo. Once near the airbases, the cabins released the drones to attack aircraft on the bases. 'Everything was planned down to the second,' the video explained. 'It happened simultaneously in three different time zones, involving 117 drones.' 'The SBU's web was to entangle all of Russia,' it said. The SBU planned to attack five airfields, although only four were hit, as drones exploded prematurely while en route to a base in Russia's far east. Admiral Pierre Vandier, Nato's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, lauded the operation, saying it was a reinvention of the 'Trojan horse method', with new 'technical and industrial creativity'. Sergei Ryabkov, Russia's deputy foreign minister, on Wednesday said Moscow's nuclear deterrence 'has not suffered significant damage', and that the affected equipment 'can and will be restored'. Experts, however, said it would take years for Russia to recover from the assault, which Ukrainian officials estimated caused $7 billion worth of damage. Several Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers are believed to have been destroyed in the operation. Kyiv said last week that Russia had used a Tu-160 to launch a cruise strike against Ukraine. It claimed this indicated a shortage of Tu-95s and Tu-22s, as Moscow usually uses these older models for strikes rather than the more expensive and scarce Tu-160. Both the Tu-95 and Tu-22 are no longer produced. Russia does assemble new Tu-160s, however only two are thought to have been completed since 2022. Though the Tu-160 is a Soviet-era design, in 2018 the Russian ministry of defence ordered 10 new airframes at a cost of 160 billion roubles. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Veterans gather in recognition of 40 years of B-1B Lancer at Dyess
ABILENE, Texas () – Veterans across the nation gathered at Dyess Air Force Base (AFB) to recognizing 40 years of the B-1B Lancer. The first ever B-1B Lancer was named the Star of Abilene and was delivered to Dyess AFB on June 29, 1985. The B-1B Lancer was developed as a supersonic nuclear bomber to replace the B-52 Stratofortress following the Cold War. Dyess has been the home of the B-1. Veterans at the event spoke with KTAB/KRBC on how they felt about the event. Major Bryan Zak was in the U.S. Air Force and also served as the Defensive System Officer. He also served as the mayor of Homer Alaska. He shared with KTAB/KRBC that he also survived brain cancer. The event's anniversary held a special meaning to him. 'I feel totally connected at everything surrounding me, spiritually,' said Zak. The 7th Wing Bomb Wing Commander from Dyess AFB also Colonel Seth Spanier how exciting the event was. 'It's a really special weekend, we're lucky to do these about every 2 years… you have the first people to ever a fly a B1B back from 40 years ago. And you have some of the U.S. copilots that are learning how to fly today,' Spanier said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
