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BOMBS AWAY

Donald Trump has terrifying power of the B52 nuke bombers that could be sent to wipe out Kim Jong-un as North Korea crisis deepens

The B-52 Stratofortress has been on the front line of America's defensive arsenal since the mid-50s. And President Donald Trump has once again called on the bomb-dropping behemoth to ward off the threat of Kim Jong-un's rogue nuclear state

AMERICA'S giant iconic Cold War bomber is back in the spotlight after reports squadrons are on a moment's notice to strike North Korea.

The B-52 Stratofortress - capable of carrying 20 nuclear cruise missiles - has been on the front line of America's defence arsenal since the mid-50s.

America's giant iconic Cold War bomber the B-52 is back in the spotlight with the revelation squadrons are on a moment's notice to strike North Korea
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America's giant iconic Cold War bomber the B-52 is back in the spotlight with the revelation squadrons are on a moment's notice to strike North Korea
Video of American B-52 bombers arriving at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire

Now, President Donald Trump is believed to have once again called on the bomb-dropping behemoth to ward off the threat of Kim Jong-un's rogue nuclear state, according to US reports.

He warned the US has to be "prepared for anything" when it comes to North Korea yesterday.

And within hours the 150ft-wide bombers were being prepared for the possibility of going on 24-hour standby - for the first time since the end of the Cold War.

Their fearsome size means they can carry more than 30 tonnes of bombs - including nuclear-able missiles and precision air-to-surface rockets.

Gen David Goldfein, the US Air Force chief of staff said: "This is yet one more step in ensuring that we’re prepared.

"I look at it more as not planning for any specific event, but more for the reality of the global situation we find ourselves in and how we ensure we’re prepared going forward."

But the US Air Force has since tried to row back on the reports the bombers were going back to Cold War footing, according to Fox News.

A spokesperson told the network: "We are not planning or preparing to put B-52s back on alert."

The Stratofortress has been on the front line of America's defence arsenal since the mid-50s
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The Stratofortress has been on the front line of America's defence arsenal since the mid-50sCredit: Alamy
The B-52's nuclear-capable cruise missile can deliver a payload ten times more powerful than the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945
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The B-52's nuclear-capable cruise missile can deliver a payload ten times more powerful than the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945
Each time the £900k Harpoon is fired, it packs a punch of more than 221kg of explosives
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Each time the £900k Harpoon is fired, it packs a punch of more than 221kg of explosives
The Popeye rocket is so accurate that it can hit a target from 48km away with accuracy of three metres
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The Popeye rocket is so accurate that it can hit a target from 48km away with accuracy of three metres
The nuclear-capable fleet can each deliver 30 tonnes worth of bombs, missiles and mines - all the while being protected by remote-control cannon on its tail
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The nuclear-capable fleet can each deliver 30 tonnes worth of bombs, missiles and mines - all the while being protected by remote-control cannon on its tailCredit: Alamy
B-52 bombers destroys ISIS targets in Iraq

So iconic were the B-52s that they became synonymous with the Cold War - being deployed in conflicts from Vietnam to the Gulf War and Afghanistan.

Recently they were used to wipe out ISIS fighters in Iraq.

They even went on to become to inspiration for an American rock band of the same name.

Much of the interest in the B-52s stems from their devastating payload - which was seen up close when several of the bombers were deployed to RAF Fairford, Gloucs, earlier this year.

The majority of the 76-strong fleet are based at Barksdale in Louisiana and Minot in North Dakota.

Kim Jong-un could find himself the target of the B-52's wrath if war breaks out between the US and North Korea
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Kim Jong-un could find himself the target of the B-52's wrath if war breaks out between the US and North KoreaCredit: AFP
Their range of 8,000 miles put them within range of North Korea - as long as they continue on to nearby US bases in Guam
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Their range of 8,000 miles put them within range of North Korea - as long as they continue on to nearby US bases in GuamCredit: Alamy
The bombers have been in service since the mid-50s and are operated by a crew of five
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The bombers have been in service since the mid-50s and are operated by a crew of fiveCredit: Alamy

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Its vast size allows it to drop a devastating payload of weaponry

Much of the interest in the B-52s stems from their devastating payload - which was seen up close when several of the bombers were deployed to RAF Fairford, Gloucs, earlier this year
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Much of the interest in the B-52s stems from their devastating payload - which was seen up close when several of the bombers were deployed to RAF Fairford, Gloucs, earlier this yearCredit: Alamy
B-52s drops its giant bomb payload during the Vietnam War

Their range of 8,000 miles put them within range of North Korea - as long as they continue on to nearby US bases in Guam.

And when they do arrive they pack a devastating payload.

The nuclear-capable fleet can each deliver 30 TONNES worth of bombs, missiles and mines - all the while being protected by remote-control cannon on its tail.

The jewel in the crown of the £95million B-52s are its nuke-carrying AGM-86C cruise missiles.

Each can pack a punch ten times more powerful than the nuclear bomb that devastated Hiroshima in 1945.

The B-52 Stratofortress in numbers

As America's biggest nuclear bomber is prepared for war with North Korea, we take a look at the 60-year-old behemoth's vital statistics

  • Maiden flight - 1955
  • Cost - £95million
  • Number in service - 76 (18 in reserve)
  • Where are they based? - Barksdale AFB, Louisiana and Minot AFB, North Dakota
  • Size - Wingspan: 56m, Length: 49m
  • Top speed: 650mph
  • Altitude - 50,000 ft
  • Payload - up to 30 tonnes of bombs and mines
  • Missile arsenal: AGM-84 Harpoon missiles, AGM-142 Raptor missiles and AGM-86C air-launched nuclear cruise missiles
  • Range - 8,000 miles
  • Defensive arsenal -  Remote-controlled rear M61 Vulcan cannon
The majority of the 76-strong fleet are based at Barksdale in Louisiana, pictured, and Minot in North Dakota
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The majority of the 76-strong fleet are based at Barksdale in Louisiana, pictured, and Minot in North DakotaCredit: Alamy
And while moving at a relatively sluggish 650mph, the behemoths are difficult to knock out of the sky owing to their 50,000 operating ceiling
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And while moving at a relatively sluggish 650mph, the behemoths are difficult to knock out of the sky owing to their 50,000 operating ceilingCredit: Alamy

The B-52's fearsome missile arsenal

How the giant bomber's weaponry stacks up

AGM-84 air-to-surface Harpoon - 8

  • Firepower - 221kg warhead
  • Speed - 537mph
  • Cost - £900,000 each

AGM-142 Popeye air-to-surface missile - 4

  • Firepower - 340kg warhead
  • Range - 48km
  • Accuracy - Can hit target with accuracy of three metres

AGM-86 air-launched nuclear cruise missile - 20

  • Firepower - 150kt nuclear weapon (ten times power of Hiroshima bomb)
  • Speed - 550mph
  • Cost - £800,000 without nuclear warhead

And while moving at a relatively sluggish 650mph, the behemoths are difficult to knock out of the sky owing to their 50,000 operating ceiling.

The Sun reported back in June how three of the giant bombers were being deployed at Fairford to take part in Nato drills.

Lieutenant-General Richard Clark, commander of 3rd US Air Force, said the deployment shows “how our team of allies can rapidly amass at a time and location of our choosing to deter and defend against any possible aggression.”

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