US Air Force B-52 bomber plane crashes after take off in California

A US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber plane has "crashed shortly after take off" from Edwards Air Force Base in southern California, the base said in a statement.

The incident occurred at 11:20 local time (19:20 GMT). The base did not say whether there were any injuries as a result of the crash, which sent a huge plume of black smoke into the air that could be seen for miles

"Emergency crews immediately responded to the scene and the situation is ongoing. More information will be provided as it becomes available."

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress has been used by the US military since the 1950s. It is nicknamed "the Buff", which is short for "Big Ugly Fat".

Aerial footage showed a charred, smoking landscape where the crash occurred.

The B-52 is a long-range strategic bomber that has been participating in bombing raids on Iran during the latest US-Israeli war on the country.

Capable of flying at up to 50,000 feet (commercial airliners fly around 35,000 feet) the colossal bomber's 70,000lb payload can include hundreds of conventional bombs and 32 nuclear cruise missiles.

It can refuel in mid-air - giving it a potentially unlimited strike range. This created a "nuclear umbrella" for the United States during the Cold War, back in the era of Mutually Assured Destruction.

They typically carry a crew of five - an aircraft commander, pilot, radar navigator, navigator and electronic warfare officer.

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