Experienced planespotter reveals what it could mean if you see this plane in the sky
It's less about the plane itself and more what it's carrying
If you look up into the skies and see the planes above then there are a few which might give you a reason to worry.
When planespotter Ian Recchio was sitting on a hill with his camera pointed upwards he caught a few snaps of a B-52 bomber with something interested attached to the underside.
His image showed the unidentified weapons bearing orange test markings and looking quite similar to the AGM-181 LRSO, which will be carried by B-52 and B-21 bombers as the next generation of stealth nuclear cruise missile for the US.
This missile will have a range of about 2,500 km and an adjustable payload of between five and 150 kilotons, meaning it could be used as a tactical nuke or have the power to level cities.
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Of course the real danger with this aircraft is the payload it's carrying, and the weapon in question is thought to be a 'secret' nuclear missile with the power to destroy a city.
Recchio said: "I was perched on a hill overlooking Owens Valley where I often try and photograph military aircraft flying the Sidewinder Low Level route.
"This B-52 was using the callsign 'Torch', which is commonly used by Edwards (Air Force Base) bombers. It continued crossing over Highway 395 where it had begun to gain altitude.
"By the time it reached me it was at about 4,000–5,000 feet AGL, based on the scanner calls I was listening to and my experience in the field.
"This altitude, of course, is not ideal for quality photography, but lending to the size of the aircraft, the relatively clear weather and using some good equipment, I was able to capture a decent photo of this iconic airframe.
"Like most digital photographers I proceeded to zoom into my LCD to see how the images turned out. To my delight there were a couple of interesting munitions visible on one of the wing pylons."
Admitting he's not an expert in these matters he said he was more interested in taking pictures of the planes themselves, but found the weaponry 'intriguing'.
He said he was 'ultra-cognisant of posting military photos publicly when there might be something sensitive on the image' but given that the plane flew over 'several populated areas and then crossed a major highway' he reckoned there was 'nothing to hide'.
If you see these planes and their weapons then they're likely on test flights, because the alternative would basically mean the end of the world was nigh as nuclear weapons were about to be fired.
The planes you really need to look out for are the 'Doomsday planes' which are designed to operate even in the event of nuclear war.
Topics: US News, World News
Joe Harker