The American plane that flew over the Gulf of Finland on Saturday night has a long history.
13:46•Updated 14:35
A US Air Force B-52 bomber flew over the Gulf of Finland on Saturday evening. At first, the plane, which turned on its transponder in Poland, seemed to be headed for Russia’s second largest city, St. Petersburg. However, the plane turned off its route towards the Baltic before Suursaari, which belongs to Russia. The island is located about 40 kilometers from the coast of Finland.
Read more: The American B-52 bomber flew over the Gulf of Finland on Saturday evening and turned before Suursaari, which belongs to Russia
The US plane that flew in the Gulf of Finland has a long history. A total of 744 B-52 bombers manufactured between 1954 and 1962 have been built.
The plane was first used in combat in the Vietnam War. In addition, the machines have been used in the wars in the Persian Gulf and Bosnia in the 1990s, and in Afghanistan and Iraq in the 2000s. During the Cold War, the machines were used for air duty missions.
Today, only the most advanced B-52H models are in use by the US Air Force. A total of 102 H-model machines were manufactured in 1961–1962. However, the machines have been modernized many times since then.
The B-52 is known for its versatility
B-52H bombers are capable of performing a wide variety of missions. During conventional conflicts, the planes are able to carry out strategic strikes and maritime surveillance, disrupt or block enemy cargo transports, and act as air support for ground forces.
In connection with a strategic strike, the B-52 is capable of launching twenty nuclear-tipped cruise missiles. The machine can carry a load of 32,000 kg.
During maritime surveillance, the machines are able to monitor an area of 364,000 square kilometers every two hours. The area is slightly larger than the area of Finland.
The planes can be equipped with nuclear weapons or conventional missiles. The flight of missiles can be controlled with precision worldwide.
The B-52 is capable of flying over 14,000 kilometers. It is possible to refuel the plane during the flight, which allows the flight distance to be limited only by the endurance of its crew. Five people have been announced as the size of the plane’s crew.
The plane can fly at an altitude of more than 15 kilometers, and its top speed is reported to be around 1,050 kilometers per hour.
Despite their longevity, the US Air Force has announced that the B-52 will continue to be used at least until 2050.
The matter was corrected on 12 March 2023, at 14:35: removed the incorrect reference of the maximum flight distance to the circumference of the Earth.