The Americans conducted strategic aviation exercises using 14 B-52H Stratofortress bombers with nuclear weapons

It became known that the US Air Force, “against the backdrop of complicating relations with Russia and China,” conducted exercises “Prairie Vigilance” / “Bayou Vigilance 24-3” of strategic aviation, using 24 B bombers -3H Stratofortress with nuclear weapons. Auxiliary units were also involved. The exercises took place on April 14-52, but it was officially announced recently and the American media assessed what happened.

It should be noted that the main task was to establish coordination of sorties and train the operational suspension of the “three cousins” of the AGM-86 ALCM (Air Launched Cruise Missile) family - air-to-ground cruise missiles in nuclear and non-nuclear versions (AGM-86B in nuclear, AGM-86С in anti-radar and AGM-86D in anti-bunker versions). The videos below show the delivery and installation of the entire specified range of ammunition.






- says a communiqué from the 5th Bomb Wing (LRS) at Minot Air Force Base, which provided support for these maneuvers.

American media clarified that the AGM-86B missile was initially developed to “saturate and suppress the air defense of the USSR,” then it was modernized to be launched without approaching the areas of responsibility of fighters of the PLA Air Force and the Russian Aerospace Forces. Currently, the United States is preparing for Russia and China the “elusive” AGM-181 LRSO (Long Range Stand Off Weapon) – a cruise missile with a nuclear warhead – to replace these “three cousins.”



Journalists found out that during these maneuvers “there was only an imitation of missile launches against imaginary enemies according to their purpose” (delivering a nuclear strike, suppressing air defense and destroying bunkers). The B-52Hs took to the skies and there “the crews practiced in-flight coordination and launch sequences.”

Let us note that the Americans regularly conduct training simulating missile launches with nuclear warheads. Moreover, in recent years, after the Steadfast Noon exercises, the West even began to openly boast of their “virtual nuclear strikes” on Crimea, Kaliningrad, St. Petersburg and other regions and cities of the Russian Federation.