U.S. Deploys Donzes of B-52 Bomber Armed With Cruise Missiles

Описание: In response to rising regional tensions, the U.S. has deployed B-52 Stratofortress bombers, capable of carrying long-range cruise missiles like the JASSM, to the Middle East, with multiple missions conducting night-time patrols and shows of force. These deployments serve as a strategic deterrence against threats from Iran and its allies, involving significant power projection, including potential, or in some contexts, actual strikes on targets.
Key details regarding U.S. B-52 deployments in the region include:
Strategic Purpose: The missions are intended to deter Iran and reassure allies, with B-52s acting as a highly visible, flexible, and powerful component of the nuclear triad.
Capabilities & Weaponry: B-52H bombers, of which around 72-76 are in service, can carry up to 20 air-launched cruise missiles or large conventional payloads. They are equipped for precision-guided attacks, including the 1,000-pound Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM).
Operational Context: These missions have occurred in the context of increased tensions, including Iranian missile tests and drone activity, with recent deployments aiming to target, among other things, underground targets or Houthi militia assets.
Show of Force: Several B-52 operations, often conducted as nighttime flyovers, have occurred in recent years (e.g., 2021-2025) to display U.S. air power in the region, with Iran condemning these actions as acts of intimidation.
The B-52, while older, remains a cornerstone of the U.S. Air Force's long-range strike capability, often working in conjunction with F-15, F-16, and F-35 fighters, as well as B-2 stealth bombers.