American B-52 bombers have started arriving in Britain after being deployed to RAF Fairford as part of a routine training exercise.
The U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft arrived in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility on August 18th, 2022.
According to the U.S. Air Force here:
“U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft, Airmen and support equipment from the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, arrived in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility to train with U.S. Allies and partners on August 18, 2022. The aircraft will operate out of RAF Fairford, England.”
The U.S. Air Force added that the deployment of strategic bombers to the UK “helps exercise RAF Fairford as United States Air Forces in Europe’s forward operating location for bombers”.
“These Bomber Task Force missions across Europe provide a great opportunity to improve our combined readiness, promote interoperability and demonstrate our global power projection alongside our Allies,” said U.S. Air Force Gen. James Hecker, USAFE-AFAFRICA and AIRCOM commander.
“Our ultimate strength in the European area of operations is a joint-force lethality – our ability to train and operate with our Allies and partners as one layered, capable and credible combat team.”
Bomber Task Force missions like this are regularly scheduled missions involving American bombers flying to various countries in order to familiarise themselves with local airspace. American B-52s were also in the UK earlier this year, flying a number of missions around Europe. In an audio clip, Typhoon jets can be heard welcoming the previous flight of American B-52 aircraft to the United Kingdom whilst over the coast of western Scotland.
The previous B-52 Stratofortress aircraft, support equipment, and personnel from the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, arrived at RAF Fairford, England, in February to execute the previous Bomber Task Force mission.
The U.S. Air Force adds that Bomber Task Force missions are routinely conducted across the European continent, underscoring NATO’s commitment to deterring adversary aggression towards the Alliance.
“Our strategic bomber missions demonstrate our always ready, global strike capability,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Ryan Loucks, 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron BTF commander.
“The B-52 remains a universally recognised symbol of America’s assurances to our Allies and partners. BTF missions offer a way to routinely assess and evaluate the readiness of strategic assets to safeguard the security and stability of the European area of operation.”
What is the B-52H Stratofortress?
According to the U.S. Air Force, the B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions.
The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet.
It can carry nuclear or precision guided conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability. In a conventional conflict, the B-52 can perform strategic attack, close-air support, air interdiction, offensive counter-air and maritime operations.
“During Desert Storm, B-52s delivered 40 percent of all the weapons dropped by coalition forces. It is highly effective when used for ocean surveillance and can assist the U.S. Navy in anti-ship and mine-laying operations. In two hours, two B-52s can monitor 140,000 square miles (364,000 square kilometers) of ocean surface.
All B-52s can be equipped with two electro-optical viewing sensors, a forward-looking infrared and advanced targeting pods to augment targeting, battle assessment and flight safety, further improving its combat ability.”
Awesome beasts. Always impressive and a good little earner for Rolls Royce. Well done to you all.
Not as good an earner for Rolls Royce as for Boeing who will be doing the integration work, the estimated cost of which has already jumped 50%.
Does anybody think there is more to this deployment than normal operations?
No. It’s a reminder they exist.
Like the B2s in Australia.
As stated previously, the only time to grow concerned is when deployed en masse,(squadron level, or greater).
Agreed.
The time to worry is when you start seeing a flight dispersed at your local airport. That’s a sign the shits about to hit the fan.
Until then chill, if they’re all lined up at an airbase that’s already pre-targetted then there’s nothing to worry about.
There has been a number of deployments into the UK in the last few weeks and it may be more than it appears? The Raptor squadrons now B52’s could be a signal to Putin that as the situation in Ukraine worsens for his forces, any adventures beyond the current conflict borders would be unwise. The Blitzkrieg Putin expected in the initial phase has obviously failed and the consequences on his ability to do much at all are now in question.
I don’t think Russian forces could get further than 25 miles without having major issues with logistics, breakdowns etc Current Russian gains are done by picking a small area on the massive ukraine front lines, obliterate everything in the area they want to move to for a few weeks, then move into rubble. Even on the best day Russia going into a nato country would be blown to pieces by the end of the week. The Russians even moved the replacement president to Belarus they were that confident they would take out the current government in a few days. How… Read more »
The next few months will be decisive for this war and it appears the Russian’s will to fight to the end may be fading? We can not underestimate Putin’s mood and should be prepared to hold a very big stick just in case. We have no idea what the Kremlin will do in the face of abject failure and even the Teflon leader may run out of options?
In what world does a country (Russia) that cannot even defeat a single state like Ukraine have any “ambitions” to take on 30 allied countries that include the United States? This idea that Russia is aiming to “take on more” after Ukraine is not really based in reality.
You are talking rationally Roy, it’s obvious Putin does not hence the invasion of Ukraine. If his bulldozer had managed to render Ukraine as a spent force in a matter of days then the threat beyond would have been real. I just wonder if he has been made aware of the truth or just wants to hear what he wants to hear. A trait Hitler demonstrated on many occasions.
I am not sure about Putin’s “rationality”. He wasn’t irrational for most of the 22 years he has been in power. It is more likely that he (very) badly miscalculated on Ukraine. Russian intelligence seems to have failed completely. Either that, or any voices of caution were ignored. But I am not sure that the West actually believes that Russia poses a conventional military threat to NATO. Certainly Britain does not believe this since the Government has taken absolutely no steps since February to strengthen UK defence. A lot of aid has been provided to Ukraine obviously, but previous plans… Read more »
I think Whitehall is convinced through various channels of intel that Russia is losing this engagement, so much, that they don’t intend to do much at all to boost Army numbers or increase the armoured fleets. I do believe matters would have been different had the defeat of Ukraine been rapid. Even in that scenario, not much would have been procured in the time scale of such an outcome. The RN and RAF are in a good place whereas the Army will be a shadow of its former self. My bet is most of the government’s cash is going to… Read more »
I think it is fair to say that the UK (+ others) may well have made the difference between a successful invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the abject failure it was. Would it be fair to say that Putin may well have felt his Country far stronger than reality had he now got full control of Ukraine and perhaps that might have encouraged him to step onto NATO soil?
I do not believe there is any Russian interest in “stepping onto NATO soil” because any such clash raises the sphere of nuclear escalation.
As for the UK, there does not seem to be any serious interest in investing in defence. I think you are right that domestic issues predominate even in the face of international crisis. Gone are the days when political leaders took strategic issues seriously. There are simply no Churchills, Disraelis or Palmerstons today.
That’s not fair Roy….
defence spending is increasing, perhaps not to the levels some want, but it is increasing for the first time in decades…
Realistically there is no serious conventional threat to the UK and it’s not as though we are going to trot off and have a little war with China ourselves…
UK defence has been permitted to decay for two decades. All Governments have contributed to it. But somehow the bellicose rhetoric has increased. … the exact opposite of Teddy Roosevelt’s “speak softly and carry a big stick”, UK politicians reverse the concept. If one looks at the capability premises that were established in the 1998 White Paper – the policy paper that committed the UK to two fleet carriers – today’s capabilities have been permitted to decay far below the objectives that were set. 32 destroyers and frigates are now 18; 10 SSNs are now 5; there are only a… Read more »
Unfortunately, in a world where Russia maintains an inventory of 6,257 nuclear warheads and is led by a dictator who is either adept at bluffing, or criminally insane, or perhaps both.
Who’s reality are talking about? Yours or Putin’s?
Strange timing. First the F-22 to Poland and now B-52 to UK. I believe the missions in February were deliberately ended to not provoke too much in the current tensions. I wonder why they redeployed.
There are currently 4 USAF B2 bombers operating out of RAAF Amberley, a quarter of the US fleet.
Six different B2 airframes have rotated through Amberley since March this year.
They have been exercising with the RAAF’s growing fleet of F35As which now number 50 in country.
A sign of the times and the increasing tension in the Asia Pacific.
Exactly.
You couldn’t ask for a more perfect place to base strategic bombers than Australia. Too far from enemy fire, just perfect distance for bombing runs
Amberley is maybe fifty kilometers from the coast
A cruise missile with or two with a couple of hundred kilometer range launched from a Chinese sub off the coast of Queensland would take out all the B2s neatly lined up on the flight line
Until NASSAMS comes on stream for the ADF there is nothing currently to stop them unless we by chance happened to have a couple of armed F35s or Super Hornets airborne at the time and even then luck would need to be on our side
Excellent rationale for a future RAN SSN flotilla?
…and acquisition of a fleet of T-26 FFs w/ tails. Thank you, Aussies, would wish all allies would be as proactive.
Do you have any airfields within the heart of Australia far from coasts that could operate these? Pine Gap for example, while not an airbase, is well away in the interior.
The B2s home AFB at Whitman is also in the interior well away from SLBM or cruise launch, I believe by design.
RAAF base Tindal in the Northern Territory is the most inland about 270 kms south of Darwin It’s home to a frontline squadron (previously 24 Hornets and now F35s coming on stream) It’s already a well developed base with dispersal areas for fighters (but not bombers) and together with RAAF Darwin will play host to the upcoming Pitch Black exercise Tindal is currently undergoing a $1.1 billion upgrade. However, like most western airforce bases it lacks any GBAD missiles. There is no airfield at Pine Gap with Alice Springs the closest and while it has hosted military aircraft temporarily for… Read more »
How many have arrived this time?
Filthy engines! They’re being replaced by British engines if I recall correctly?
In a different life time and while working for a Clearer on Wall St the Aero division had worked with RR to supply RB211 engines to the B52 fleet. And at that point the idea was 4 per aircraft! Long time ago and no result, at the tie! LOL
Hi Bill,
I remember reading about that program in about ’89. 30+ years later and RR finally get to deliver something. Any other aircraft and it would be long out of service.
Amazing to think it might well make 100 yrs in service..!
Cheers CR
I am always slightly boggled at B52 longevity. I was still at school when the newest airframe was delivered in 1962, now a pensioner and grandfather. In terms of years it is equivalent to the RAF air defence squadrons in the 1970’s operating Sopwith Camels.
CR
That would have been about the right time line. I do recall that there was tremendous vocal support at all levels within the bank but the idea slowly faded, maybe both the airframe and engine were a tad too enthusiastic for something that was a “bridge too far”.
Anyway this brought back some fond memories!
Cheers
Bill
RR engines, presuming program remains on track. 😊
Yes man! That’s what we like to hear. A little bit of Blighty on these gigantic American powerhouses
Built by American workers in a plant in Indiana.
Such is the defence industry, domestic production or no contract
Designed in Germany.
Well there’s historical precedent…
British RR engines turned the American P51 Mustang from an underperformed used for reccy and ground-attack into possibly the greatest fighter of WW2.
It will be interesting to see what RR can do for the B52.
The new engines will make the plane more efficient and obviously make the plane last longer. It will not make the plane any faster. As it is, the cost is going to go up 1.5x the original cost as it turns out they need to structurally update the wings to handle the new engines. My guess is if they put more powerful engines that allow it to go fast, the engines would probably rip off
Try being less literal, B52s don’t get into dogfights so more speed was never a requirement of the new engine.
The new engines will make the B52 more fuel efficient and increase its range. It should increase availability too as the service life is much better.
Correct, eight P&W T33s are to be replaced by eight RR F130s by 203X. Maybe. Depends on Milestone B cost estimate. Eleven billion dollar esrimate in 2021 and headed North. RR portion of estimate has not increased by a single farthing. Thank you
… estimate…
Recent article revealed active discussion w/in USAF re model redesignation after planned updates to radar and engines of B-52H (I. e., model accession for each system update, or one for aggregate program). Thus, will become either the B-52J or B-52K. Good to know matters of such great import command the attention of the service hierarchy…🤔😳🙄
.
Having just watched four fly by, trailing brown plumes from the engines I can testify to them being filthy! I am sure commercial airlines would be grounded if the put out half as much dirt.
The Lancaster that flew by at the weekend was MUCH cleaner!
Awesome beasts, they used to deploy to Marham every year for the Strike Command bombing contests in the 70’s. The taxiways were too narrow so they dispersed onto a disused runway. Filthy engines though, but what a sight and noise.
Fascinating. And before my time.
But why not Mildenhall which strictly speaking is just up the road?
Mildenhall was full of aircraft back then. KC135’s, Special KC135’s for the SR71’s based there, RC135’s, C130’s and regular flights of C141’s and C5’s. It was a pretty crowded flight line.
As Bob said, too busy. A Buff takes an age from start-up to taxi and take off. We only had Victors then so the airfield was relatively quiet most of the time.
Kind of makes you think what could have been done with a modernised Vulcan. In an age of stand off guided weapons a big fat bomb truck could be really handy.
That would be lovely wouldn’t it. Only ever got to see one on the ground but what a beauty. If it looks right, it flies right.
There are ideas floating around that could give us a bomb truck though: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/36878/air-force-c-17-launched-a-pallet-of-mock-cruise-missiles-during-recent-arsenal-plane-test
Have to maintain quite a ‘stand-off’ to minimise risk though.
I would have to go for a victor as my first choice. Would still look futuristic new today. 2 modern efficient engines would give good range. Original had 35,000lbs bomb load.
Last chance I saw for a medium/long bomber was nimrod replacement. So a maritime patrol variant and a bomber variant, electronic variant.
A new design would of been needed instead of the nimrod disaster. Ahh what could of been.
https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/9KjxlE/amerikanska-b52-bombplan-ovar-i-sverige
Swedish source stating the B52 dropped sharp bombs over sweden first time ever yesterday. They were in Sweden in February too but used dumb Munitions then.
Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM)s?
De amerikanska bombplanen eskorterades in i svenskt luftrum av Gripen-plan och typen av bomber som amerikanerna fällde är GBU-31.
They were escorted by Gripen planes and the bombs dropped were GBU-31.
Thanks for the translation, my Swedish is a tad rusty. 😁
Last produced 1962. So 60 years old at least.
Yes. I have a photo of me and my best mate at Fairford standing in front of a B52. It was our 50th birthday and the aircraft was built in the year we were born.
They’re also very hard to track if they choose to be. Not because of stealth like more recent a/c, but because of their ECM suite. Gate stealing is only the beginning.