American B‑52s showcase striking prowess in Arctic drill
Norway organised large-scale military exercises involving the United States and the United Kingdom, utilising fighters, bombers, and tankers. During these exercises, unusual photos of American B-52H long-range strategic bombers were captured.
The United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway recently completed trilateral military exercises codenamed Apex Buccaneer, focusing on multi-domain tactics. The event, which took place on 3 December 2024 in the far north, showcased advanced military technologies and personnel from the three countries to test their ability to detect, track, and neutralise hostile targets in simulated combat scenarios, as explained by The Aviationist.
"Multi-domain integration is essential for leveraging the full spectrum of capabilities," emphasised Gen. James Hecker, commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa. Such collaboration ensures flexibility in responding to emerging threats, especially in contested regions like the Arctic.
American B-52s in unusual photos
Some of the most advanced aircraft in the world participated in the exercises. The United States sent B-52H Stratofortress bombers, KC-135 Stratotanker refuellers, and a U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance plane. The United Kingdom deployed Eurofighter Typhoon fighters, an RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance plane, and F-35 Lightning II fighters, while Norway utilised aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II and P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. Special forces, playing a key role on the ground, directed precise strikes on targets at the Setermoen military range in Norway.
Among all the aircraft, only the B-52s dropped live ordnance, demonstrating their capability for precision strikes in Arctic conditions. Electro-optical/infrared sensors, such as the Wescam MX-20HD mounted on the Norwegian P-8A Poseidon maritime aircraft, captured images from this operation.
The American B-52s participating in Apex Buccaneer are part of Bomber Task Force 25-1, currently based at the British Royal Air Force Fairford base. The mission, which began on 8 November 2024, is already the second of its kind this year. The B-52H aircraft currently used by the Americans are bombers created between 1960 and 1962.
They are nearly 164 feet in length, just over 41 feet in height, and have a wingspan close to 187 feet. The B-52H bombers are equipped with eight Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofan engines. They can fly at speeds exceeding 621 mph at a maximum altitude of over 49,213 feet. The aircraft weigh 252 tons in takeoff configuration, with over 31 tons for armament and 178 tons for fuel, providing a range exceeding – in the B-52H version – 9,942 miles.
