The B-52 Stratofortress, a long-range heavy bomber that is a stalwart of US military airpower, is a critical asset for ocean surveillance and maritime operations.

Four B-52s arrived in England in February to kick off the first European bomber deployment of the year, US Air Force officials said February 12.

The United States in November deployed B-52s to the Middle East, in the first such deployment to a base in the region since 2019.

On December 8, B-52s took part in dozens of strikes against multiple "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) targets in central Syria, according to US Central Command.

The B-52s, alongside F-15E Strike Eagles and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, dropped about 140 munitions on more than 75 ISIS targets.

The B-52 can transport 32,000kg of ordnance, including nuclear and conventional bombs, mines, precision-guided missiles and Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs).

The aircraft is able to support naval operations, capable of transporting and launching AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles as well as the stealthy, 450kg AGM-158 Joint Air to Surface Standoff Munitions (JASSMs).

It can accompany the US Navy on mine-laying operations and surveil vast swaths of ocean. In just two hours, four B-52 bombers can scan an area of about 728,000 square km -- almost three times the size of the Arabian Gulf.

Quickstrike

The B-52 can deploy the Quickstrike mine, a family of aircraft-laid, shallow-water mines designed to covertly disrupt enemy naval activities.

The Quickstrike has three versions based on the Mk 80-series high-explosive bombs: the 226.8kg Mk 62, the 453.6kg Mk 63 and the 907.2kg Mk 64.

The modified bombs are equipped with acoustic, magnetic and seismic sensors to detect passing ships and submarines.

A fourth type, the Mk 65, is another 907.2kg class mine based on a purpose-built mine casing.

A single B-52 can carry 12 Quickstrike mines.

An upgraded version, the Quickstrike Extended Range (QS-ER), pairs the Mk 80-series Quickstrikes with a Global Positioning System-guided JDAM guidance package and a pop-out wing kit.

These upgrades enable the B-52 to loft the mines at targets up to 64.4km away, speeding up the mine-laying process and reducing vulnerability of the aircraft.

Traditionally, aircraft must fly at lower altitudes and release the mines at multiple intervals, which can subject the mission to high risk.

In May 2023, a B-52H Stratofortress deployed inert QS-ER mines from a standoff distance of more than 64.4km in a test exercise off the coast of Hawaii.

"What's unique about QS-ER is its range and precision," 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron commander Lt. Col. Matt Spinelli said at the time.

"This reduces the number of weapons needed to affect the mine field and makes the delivery platform more survivable."