NATO responds to Russian missile launch with B‑52 flyover

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

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

The B-52 Stratofortress aircraft, despite over 70 years of service, remain a cornerstone of American strategic deterrence. All of the currently operated aircraft of this type (with 58 in active service, 18 in reserve, and 12 mothballed) were manufactured between 1952 and 1962, meaning the most recent bomber is 62 years old.

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

Despite their age and the introduction of several generations of successors, such as the B-1B, B-2, and B-21 aircraft, the B-52 remains indispensable. It serves both as a nuclear weapons carrier and a platform for an extensive arsenal (up to 31,000 kilograms) of various munitions with which it has been integrated for decades.

While it may not match the newer bombers in some respects, it has significant advantages, including high reliability and, most notably, the best cost per flight hour relative to payload and range among the American bomber fleet.