American B‑52 bombers join NATO drills in Poland
The appearance of powerful American machines in Poland sparked significant interest among aviation enthusiasts. On real-time flight tracking services, two long-range strategic B-52H Stratofortress bombers were visible for several hours. Their presence in this part of the world was not coincidental; the iconic machines were participating in integration exercises conducted by NATO in Poland.
On Wednesday, September 11, two U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress aircraft completed a transatlantic training mission, showcasing the Air Force's capability to operate alongside allied forces and deliver global strike power whenever and wherever necessary, according to a release by U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA). The mission involved the B-52s participating in NATO integration exercises held in Poland.
B-52 in Europe
Besides B-52 bombers, the maneuvers involved aircraft and other units from air, land, sea, cyber, and space domains. In total, about 25 fighters, tankers, and other aircraft participated. The units cooperated to improve, among other things, command and control in a simulated, contested environment.
Gen. James Hecker, commander of USAFE-AFAFRICA, emphasized that completing the NATO-led mission enables sharing best practices and reaffirms the United States' strong commitment to its allies. He highlighted that close collaboration with allied forces is a crucial strength, sending a clear signal about safeguarding partners and deterring potential aggressive moves by strategic rivals.
The mission of the two American B-52s began and ended at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota and was conducted on September 11-12. This mission highlighted the ability to engage aircraft quickly when needed. The September bombers' mission also extended the Bomber Task Force 24-4 mission in Europe. This mission made history in the summer when two American B-52s operated for the first time from Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base in Romania.
B-52 bombers - machines that will serve for 100 years
B-52 bombers are iconic machines that have served since 1954. From 1954-1962, the Americans produced 744 B-52 bombers, and about 10 percent of these machines remain operational today. These are units created between 1960-1962, the B-52H version. It is nearly 164 feet long, 41 feet high, and has a wingspan of nearly 187 feet. It is equipped with eight Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofan engines. B-52H bombers can fly at speeds exceeding 621 mph at a maximum altitude of over 49,000 feet. In the takeoff configuration, they weigh 565,000 pounds, of which over 68,000 pounds can be allocated to armament and 399,000 pounds to fuel, ensuring a range of over 9,942 miles in the B-52H version.
As we have already reported, the Americans plan to modernize the fleet of used B-52H bombers, allowing them to be in service until 2060 and beyond. The modernization will include engine replacement, avionics, communication, radar system upgrades, and increased weapons carriage capacity. Extending the life of the B-52 will cost approximately 50 billion dollars. However, the Americans expect these changes to enable the B-52 to meet the demands of the modern battlefield, remaining a key element of American strategic forces.
