All eight aboard the Stratofortress bomber, conducting a radar system test, died in the crash shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California on Monday.

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

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.