A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed at Edwards Air Force Base on Monday morning, with black smoke billowing from the runway and debris scattered.

Edwards Air Force Base said in a statement, "A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Airfield around 11:20 AM. Emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the scene and are currently assessing the situation. We will provide further information as it becomes available."

It is currently unclear whether there are any injuries.

On-site footage reported by Fox News shows the aircraft completely destroyed next to the runway, leaving only black ash.

The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range bomber that has been in service since the 1950s.

It can carry conventional weapons as well as nuclear missiles and has been deployed in conflicts such as the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, the War in Afghanistan, and most recently, in military operations in the Middle East.

Edwards Air Force Base, where the incident occurred, is located in the desert about 100 miles (approximately 160 km) north of Los Angeles (LA).

U.S. NNP=Chief Reporter Sung Ku Hong / Special Correspondent for this newspaper NNP info@newsandpost.com