A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base on 15 June 2026, with eight people aboard and no survivable outcome indicated. The aircraft was on a routine test mission tied to the Radar Modernization Program, and emergency crews moved in immediately after the 11:20 a.m. PDT accident.
The loss hits a bomber central to U.S. strategic test work and modernization throughput at Edwards. The cause remains under investigation, while the crew mix, mission profile, and airframe condition will now drive the safety board’s next phase.