The Boeing B-52 strategic bomber has remained a key player in America’s bomber fleet for over seven decades.
Three B-52 bombers were detected flying around international airspace near the coast of Venezuela earlier this week. The trio of aircraft, call signs BUNNY01, BUNNY02, and BUNNY03, was reportedly flying on extended flight patterns originating from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. In a clear demonstration of lethality and power, the Stratofortress showing was aimed at Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. US president Donald Trump has ramped up American military pressure on the Maduro government in recent months, deploying destroyers to the Caribbean and even beginning to mount a troop buildup in the region. Also in October, American F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and several Air Force aerial refueling tankers and other airframes have been detected in the same general area. Additionally, The New York Times reported earlier this month that the Trump team has been authorizing the Central Intelligence Agency to carry out covert action in Venezuela secretly.
The dispatch of B-52 bombers, destroyers, and other US military assets near Venezuela comes as the Trump administration has prioritized combating threats from Latin American drug cartels. On day one of Trump’s tenure in office, the president issued an executive order outlining his intent to designate cartels and linked organizations as foreign terrorist organizations. “The Cartels’ activities threaten the safety of the American people, the security of the United States, and the stability of the international order in the Western Hemisphere. Their activities, proximity to, and incursions into the physical territory of the United States pose an unacceptable national security risk to the United States,” the order details.
Introducing the B-52 Stratofortress
The Boeing B-52 long-range, subsonic strategic bomber has remained a key player in America’s bomber fleet for over seven decades. This tried and trusted platform, commonly referred to by its nickname BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fella), is capable of performing strategic attack, close-air support, offensive counter-air, and maritime and air interdiction. Notably, during Operation Desert Storm, B-52s were responsible for delivering nearly half of all weapons dropped by coalition forces.
The latest B-52 variant to hit the skies is the B-52H. This formidable iteration can carry up to 20 air-launched cruise missiles in addition to conventional cruise missiles. The B-52H variant also features the combat network communications technology program, which allows for real-time, in-flight intelligence information sharing. The Air Force is already looking to introduce the upcoming B-52J successor, which, once in service, will mean the Stratofortress platform will remain relevant for a full century. According to reports, the B-52J’s engine will include a new power generation system that will provide a 30 percent gain in fuel efficiency. In terms of armament power, the B-52J will be equipped with the hypersonic attack cruise missile, a Mach-5.0 scramjet-powered cruise missile that will be extremely challenging for enemies to shoot down. Considering these unparalleled specs and capabilities, it makes sense that the Trump White House is utilizing the B-52 fleet to send a message to its adversaries.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has bylines in many publications, including The National Interest, The Jerusalem Post, and The Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.
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