A US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after taking off from Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California, killing all eight people aboard.
The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range heavy bomber capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet, carrying both nuclear and precision-guided conventional ordnance.
The unit cost of the aircraft stands at $84 million in fiscal year 2012 constant dollars, with the current value not public yet.
It is built by Boeing Military Airplane Co and powered by eight Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofan engines, each delivering up to 17,000 pounds of thrust.
The bomber stretches 159 feet and 4 inches in length, stands 40 feet and 8 inches tall and has a wingspan of 185 feet, weighing approximately 185,000 pounds but can take off at a maximum weight of 488,000 pounds.
It flies at speeds of up to 650 miles per hour, Mach 0.84 and has an unrefueled combat range of over 8,800 miles, with aerial refueling, its range is limited only by crew endurance.
The B-52 has been the backbone of America's strategic bomber force for over 60 years, playing a major role in several key military operations, including Operation Desert Storm and the fight against ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
