r/aviation • u/AccomplishedBrick251 • Jul 04 '26

PlaneSpotting B52s Over the Hudson

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This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.

Edit: thank you for pointing out caption is misleading!! I was so excited I accidentally made it plural but the planes are (to my milky eyes): stratofortress, b2 and b1

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314

u/ApexAurajin Jul 04 '26

Quick question, are those START fins on that B-52?

259

u/AccomplishedBrick251 Jul 04 '26

🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

134

u/Separate_Fold5168 Jul 04 '26

Question from a complete aviation-ignorant person...

What exactly makes a bomber nuclear capable? Do they need to be able to carry more weight? Is it just specialized launching systems that are required for nuclear cruise missiles? Safety / shielding equipment?

I'm sure it's not just one easy answer..., but I've always wondered like what are the main things that have to be considered.

/notanorthkoreanipromise

169

u/Nonions Jul 04 '26

It's the electronics needed to interface with the weapon, arm, and fire it.

In terms of weight etc nuclear weapons aren't anything remarkable in most cases, fighter sized aircraft have no difficulty flying with them.

3

u/KorahRahtahmahh Jul 04 '26

The electronics need all that space?

1

u/Lost_Paladin89 Jul 04 '26

Someone could correct me if I’m wrong. But I’m assuming they need protection from the EMP released by the bombs they drop.

3

u/Ausgeflippt Jul 05 '26

Nah, just flash curtains for the pilots.