The military aircraft plummeted to the ground just outside of Los Angeles around 11.20am PT on Monday after departing from Edwards Air Force Base.

Edwards Air Force Base said emergency responders were on the scene.

A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber has crashed at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California

An official said an investigation could take up to six months and noted the B-52 in question was involved in a "radar modernization program."

Eight people were killed after a US Air Force B-52 bomber crashed shortly after take-off from Edwards Air Force Base in California's Mojave Desert on Monday.