US bomber aircraft force heads to Europe ahead of training with Nato forces
Aircraft from the US Bomber Task Force are flying to Europe ahead of a deployment alongside their Nato allies.
B-52 Stratofortresses, B-1 Lancers and B-2 Spirits are used by the force, with the aircraft being transited from the United States to the US European Command area of responsibility.
The B-52 has eight engines, but can operate with only two of those functioning, can reach a speed of 1,000 km/h and fly for 8,800 miles without refuelling.
From RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, where the US has previously deployed the bomber, the B-52 could easily reach both Moscow and Tehran.
The Stratofortress can hit subsonic speeds at up to 50,000 feet (15,166m), carrying nuclear or precision-guided conventional weapons, as well as gravity or cluster bombs.
The secretive B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber that can deliver conventional and nuclear munitions, and was recently used against Houthi weapons facilities.
US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa said the deployment would start with US Air Force bombers flying a predetermined flight plan through international airspace.
The deployment will also see US bomber aircrews train alongside Nato allies and partners for several weeks.
It is not the only bomber deployment that has been announced by the US recently, with plans to send B-52s, fighter jets and US Navy ships to the Middle East to deter Iran.
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