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When Washington DC wants to attack its enemies, the plane that the US president often uses is the Boeing 52 Stratofortress bomber.
The B-52H model, which still flies today, was first commissioned with United States of America Air Force (USAF) in 1961.
More than 63 years later, 76 of those bombers remain in service with the US, forming the backbone of the country’s bomber force and accounting for half the number of USAF bombers.
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Rolls-Royce is now equipping its Cold War-era nuclear-capable bombers with new engines that will help keep them in the air until at least the 2050s.
Sky News understands that B-52 bombers are currently en route to the UK.
This move comes after Sir Keir Starmer’s position changegave US assets permission to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iran.
So, what keeps this airframe in the air and in such demand?
B-52 bombers deployed along the Venezuelan coast ahead of the capture of Nicolas Maduro. Photo: Reuters
Serious fire power
The B-52 is usually referred to by the more vulgar acronym BUFF – Big Ugly Fat Fella – by the air force crews who frequently use the aircraft.
The Stratofortress’ large size means it is capable of carrying approximately 70,000 lbs (31,751 kg) of weapons, including bombs, smart guns, mines and missiles.
The Model H can also carry up to 20 air-launched cruise missiles.
The B-52 can carry nuclear weapons as well as conventional weapons – including gravity bombs and nuclear-armed cruise missiles.
Although these bombers had great power, they also had an impressive range of 8,800 miles, which could be extended through mid-air refueling, and a speed of 650mph.
They are also cheaper to operate than some of their newer competitors.
A US B-52 bomber during mid-air refueling. Photo: Reuters
The aircraft is typically crewed by five mission personnel: the aircraft commander, pilot, radar navigator, navigator, and electronic warfare officer.
The crux of the US conflict
The B-52 was originally designed to carry thermonuclear explosives and act as part of the US nuclear deterrent.
Since then, this weapon has often been used for attacks using a lethal arsenal of conventional weapons.
US commanders made extensive use of this aircraft during the Vietnam War with extensive bombing.
In 1972, US B-52 bombers dropped more than 20,000 tons of explosives on North Vietnam over 11 days as part of Operation Linebacker II.
The bombers played a critical role in Operation Desert Storm in 1991 during the Gulf War and again in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
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US B-52 bombers attack targets in Vietnam between 1965 and 1973. Photo: Reuters
In 2014, President Barack Obama deployed the aircraft, which became operational before he was born, against ISIS forces in Syria and Iraq.
B-52s flew approximately 1,800 combat sorties against the terrorist group.
The bomber is now used again along with the B-1 bomber, this time on the President’s orders Donald Trumpagainst Iran.
Such is the reputation of the B-52H that it even repositions and deploys the jet to an area can be used as a diplomatic tool and not-so-veiled threats.
The long-range jets were sent to patrol off Venezuela’s coast as Trump escalated threats against the former president Nicolas Maduro in the days before he was captured by US forces.
