First B-52H Tracked Since the Beginning of the War: Bombing Mission Over Iran

For the first time since the outbreak of hostilities, tracking systems have openly detected the flight of an USAF Boeing B-52H “Stratofortress” strategic bomber returning from an operational area. Specifically, we tracked the aircraft with registration 61-0035 (visible under the callsign ROME84).

According to our analysis, the aircraft has in all likelihood just concluded a bombing mission over Iran, operating jointly with a second bomber, the B-52H with registration 61-0007.

As can be seen from the map, the route taken by the aircraft traces what has now become the “standard” corridor for Middle East operations launched from the UK: crossing French airspace and, subsequently, transiting international airspace over the Mediterranean Sea towards Israel (a route followed in reverse for the return to the British Isles).

There is an additional, particularly interesting detail characterizing this mission. In addition to the route, we also know the nature of the payload employed. These are AGM-158 JASSM (or their extended-range variant, JASSM-ER) cruise missiles. The type of weaponry on board is not a matter of speculation but is clearly evident from videos and images captured from the ground during the aircraft’s takeoff operations from RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire.