An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed late Monday morning shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California's Mojave Desert, officials said.

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress has been used by the US military since the 1950s.

Eight people aboard a B-52 Stratofotress were killed Monday when the plane crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California.

Eight presumed dead in B-52 bomber crash at California Air Force base; investigation into cause ongoing amid emergency response efforts.

Officials did not say if anyone was injured in the crash, but the aircraft typically carry a crew of five.

The U.S. Air Force says eight people aboard a B-52 bomber that crashed shortly after takeoff at a military base in southern California's Mojave Desert are believed to be dead.

The U.S. Air Force says eight people aboard a B-52 bomber that crashed shortly after takeoff at a military base in Southern California’s Mojave Desert are believed to be dead.

A B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at a U.S. Air Force base in Southern California’s Mojave Desert and burst into flames Monday, killing all eight people aboard, military officials said. Aerial footage showed virtually nothing left of the aircraft that went down around 11:20 a.m. during a routine test…

A B-52 bomber crashed Monday after taking off on a routine test mission from Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California, killing eight people, Air Force officials said. The nuclear-capable aircraft, considered the “backbone” of the Air Force’s strategic bomber force,” crashed on the Edwards airfield soon after taking off at 11:20 a.m., officials from the Kern County base reported through a social media post. Eight people were killed in the crash, which officials said was “not survivable.” Officials said the airfield, which includes the world’s longest runway, was closed with inbound aircraft being diverted. While Edwards authorities declined to speculate Monday afternoon, a December release indicated that a B-52 Stratofortress had been successfully transferred to Edwards Air Force Base for testing after being equipped with the new Active Electronically Scanned Array, or AESA, radar system. In video footage from Los Angeles TV stations, including KTLA, smoke could be seen rising from a debris-strewn area just…