NATOs B‑52 mission near Russia highlights old bomber's might

The Finnish air force reported on the mission of the American bombers. A pair of B-52s took off from the United Kingdom and, flying over Finnish airspace, approached the Russian border. There, as reported by the Bulgarian Military service, the bombers performed a simulated bomb drop.

According to information confirmed by the Pentagon, on their return to base, the B-52s were intercepted by Russian Su-27 fighters in international airspace. The Americans emphasised that the interception occurred without provocation from the Russian pilots, adhering to safety procedures.

The B-52 Stratofortress aircraft, despite over 70 years of service, remains one of the pillars of American strategic deterrence. All of the currently operated aircraft of this type (58 in active service, 18 in reserve, and 12 mothballed) were manufactured between 1952 and 1962, meaning the newest bomber is 61 years old.

Over this time, the planes have undergone significant upgrades, reflected in their designation – the latest variant is named B-52H, and planned enhancements for the coming years will be introduced in units that, as B-52J, are likely to see close to 100 years of service.

Despite their age and the existence of several generations of successors such as the B-1B, B-2, and B-21 aircraft, the B-52 remains indispensable – not only as a nuclear weapons carrier but also due to its ability to carry an entire arsenal (up to 31,000 kilograms) of various types of munitions, with which it has been integrated for decades.

Although in many respects it falls short of newer bombers, it boasts significant advantages. These include high reliability and, above all, the best cost-effectiveness in terms of flight hour cost relative to payload and range among the American bomber fleet.