US B‑52H bombers arrive in UK for NATO training amid rising tensions
Four long-range strategic bombers, B-52H Stratofortress belonging to the United States Air Force, arrived at Royal Air Force Fairford in the United Kingdom to commence Bomber Task Force (BTF) Europe 24-3. The aircraft will participate in exercises with NATO allies and partners. According to Defence Romania, it cannot be ruled out that they will fly near the border with the Russian Federation, in the vicinity of the Kaliningrad Oblast and the Crimean Peninsula.
In a statement, the Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) noted that "BFT missions enable U.S. joint forces to train with Allies and partners to improve shared understanding, trust, and interoperability." The Defence Romania service points out that the main tasks of the B-52H in this part of the world will be joint exercises with allies and partners to conduct potential strikes in the European theatre of operations. It also notes that the American bombers will likely be flying near the border with the Russian Federation, in the vicinity of the Kaliningrad Oblast and the Crimean Peninsula.
American B-52H bombers in Europe
"BTF 24-3 will demonstrate Agility in a dynamic security environment and global strike capabilities in support of assurance and deterrence objectives also in a NATO context with one focus on the Baltic region," as the Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) reported.
The B-52 bombers are iconic machines that have been in service since 1954. Despite their age, Americans do not plan to retire the fleet of these aircraft for now. However, they plan to comprehensively modernise the bombers, extending their operational life to 100 years. The Pentagon plans to allocate nearly £40.8 billion for this purpose. Modernisation will include, among other things, the replacement of engines, avionics upgrades, an increase in the weapons bay, and the installation of a new radar.
As we already reported, between 1954 and 1962, Americans produced 744 B-52 bombers for the United States Air Force. Currently, 10 percent of that fleet remains in operation. These units were built between 1960 and 1962, belonging to the B-52H version. It has a length of approximately 50 metres, a height of 12.5 metres, and a wingspan of nearly 57 metres. The bomber is equipped with 8 Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofan engines. It can fly at speeds exceeding 1,000 km/h at a maximum altitude of over 15,000 metres. In its takeoff configuration, the aircraft weighs 256 tonnes, of which over 68 tonnes can be weapons and 181 tonnes for fuel, providing a range exceeding – in the B-52H version – 16,000 kilometres.
