Four active-duty airmen, a reservist and three civilians who were on a team devoted to keeping the bomber flying for decades to come died in the crash.

The US Air Force plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in 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.