A US Air Force B-52 bomber has crashed in California, United States. The aircraft went down shortly after taking off from Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California, according to a statement released by base officials.

The accident occurred at 11:20 AM local time on Monday. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether there were any casualties. Following the crash, a massive plume of black smoke was seen billowing into the sky, visible from several miles away.

The statement noted that emergency rescue teams rushed to the scene immediately, and recovery operations are still underway. Further details will be provided later.

The US military has been operating the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress since the 1950s. The massive aircraft is nicknamed "The BUFF," an acronym for "Big Ugly Fat Fellow."

Aerial video footage showed smoke still rising from the crash site.

The B-52 is a long-range strategic bomber. US forces recently deployed this aircraft to launch strikes during the conflict against Iran.

The giant bomber is capable of flying at an altitude of 50,000 feet and can carry approximately 70,000 pounds of weapons. This payload can include hundreds of conventional bombs or up to 32 nuclear-capable cruise missiles.

With mid-air refueling capabilities, the aircraft can execute strikes anywhere in the world. During the Cold War, it served as a vital part of the United States' "nuclear umbrella."

A B-52 Stratofortress typically carries a crew of five: a commander, a pilot, a radar navigator, a navigator, and an electronic warfare officer.