Hovering American B-52 warplanes cause panic in Pak’s tribal areas

PESHAWAR - The continuous hovering of America’s heavy bomber aircraft, B-52 - capable of carrying nuclear and conventional weapons - has caused panic among residents of Pakistan’s Tribal Areas.

The Nation quoted sources as saying that B-52 warplanes and US drones have been hovering over Waziristan and Kurram Agency for the last several weeks.

The US Air Combat Command’s B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions.

Capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet, the B-52 can perform air interdiction, offensive counter-air and maritime operations.

During Desert Storm, B-52s delivered 40 per cent of all the weapons dropped by coalition forces.

It is highly effective when used for ocean surveillance. Two B-52s, in two hours, can monitor 364,000 square kilometres of ocean surface.

All B-52s are equipped with an electro-optical viewing system to augment the targeting, battle assessment, flight safety and terrain-avoidance system, thus further improving its combat ability and low-level flight capability. (ANI)