United States B-52H Fleet Update
United States Air Force
| Date | June 15, 2026 |
| Country | United States |
| Force | United States Air Force |
| Location |
Edwards AFB, California, USA
34.92, -117.89 |
| Aircraft | B-52H (B-52 Stratofortress) |
| Change | -1 active |
Description
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base, California, at around 11:20 a.m. on June 15, 2026. The base confirmed the mishap, with images showing a large plume of black smoke fueled by the bomber's full fuel load. Emergency crews responded immediately and the situation was described as ongoing. Unconfirmed reports identified the airframe as B-52H 60-0061, the aircraft used to test the new AESA radar upgrade for the fleet. The crash removes one bomber from the USAF's long-serving B-52H fleet, which has formed the backbone of America's strategic bomber force for over six decades.
