B‑52 bombers arrive in Europe for NATO exercises near Russian border

Four long-range strategic bombers, B-52H Stratofortress, belonging to the United States Air Force, have 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, they may fly near the border with the Russian Federation, in the vicinity of the Kaliningrad Oblast and the Crimean Peninsula.

The Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) noted, "BFT missions enable U.S. joint forces to train with Allies and partners to improve shared understanding, trust, and interoperability." Defence Romania highlights that the main tasks of the B-52H in this region 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 Russian Federation border, close to 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, the United States does not plan to retire the fleet of these aircraft. However, plans for comprehensive modernization aim to extend their operational life to 100 years. The Pentagon plans to allocate nearly CAD 67 billion for this purpose. The modernization will include replacing engines, updating avionics, increasing the weapons bay, and installing a new radar.

As previously reported, between 1954 and 1962, the United States produced 744 B-52 bombers. Currently, 10 percent of that fleet remains in operation. These units, built between 1960 and 1962, belong to the B-52H version. The B-52H has a length of approximately 50 meters, a height of 12 meters, and a wingspan of nearly 57 meters. 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 15,200 meters. In its takeoff configuration, the aircraft weighs 256,000 kilograms, of which over 62,000 kilograms can be weapons and 181,000 kilograms for fuel, providing a range exceeding – in the B-52H version – 16,000 kilometres.