The United States is gearing up to deploy its iconic Cold War-era bombers, the B-52 Stratofortress, against Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cautioned that Tuesday is anticipated to witness the most intense assaults in the ongoing conflict.

Renowned for its formidable presence, the B-52 Stratofortress continues to be a pivotal asset for the US military, even after seven decades of service. This aircraft has played a role in nearly every American military engagement since the Vietnam War.

On Monday, three of these bombers touched down at the UK’s RAF Fairford base. They are expected to participate in significant bombing operations targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, following the US and Israel gaining air dominance over the region.

This deployment marks the first instance of using the heavy bombers in the current conflict with Iran. Hegseth has promised that the eleventh day of the US-Iran war will feature the “most intense day of strikes” yet against the Islamic Republic.

“Our strategy is succeeding with an unwavering and relentless focus on our goals,” Hegseth announced to reporters at the Pentagon.

Massive bombs on board

Originally introduced in 1952, the B-52 Stratofortress was conceived as a doomsday bomber, capable of delivering nuclear payloads to the Soviet Union without needing to refuel en route.

It is among the oldest aircraft design still operating in the US military.

And in the decades since, it has been repeatedly upgraded to launch modern weapons systems.

B-52s are capable of carrying up to 70,000 pounds of ordinance, including nuclear weapons, cruise missiles and other heavy bombs,

The bombers are also capable of dropping the 30,000-lb. Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker-buster bomb, which can penetrate deep underground to take out the subterranean facilities operated by Iran’s current regime.

Along with the B-2 Spirit, the B-52 serves as a key part of America’s Nuclear Triad, which aims to deter nuclear attacks by being able to launch nuclear warheads around the world by land, sea and air.

An American staple of war

While serving as part of America’s nuclear deterrent force during the Cold War, the B-52 rose to prominence during the Vietnam War in Operation Linebacker II, which saw the aircraft drop more than 15,000 tons of bombs across the country.

The B-52s were also deployed during Operation Desert Storm in the early 1990s, with the bombers used to take out Iraqi bases and underground bunkers.

The heavy bombers have been repeatedly deployed throughout America’s wars in the Middle East, with the aircraft completing about 1,800 combat missions against ISIS forces in Syria and Iraq.

Since their use against ISIS, the B-52s have been used by the US as a show of force against its adversaries, with the heavy bombers deployments to Europe used as an intimidation tactic against both Iran and Russia.

The long-range bombers were recently used to patrol the coast of Venezuela in the days before the capture of its former president, Nicolas Maduro.

There were more than 740 B-52s built, but currently there are 58 in service.