There’s a special level of irony involved with the B-52 cartridge start. Sure, it’s possible to get these iconic bombers started through more traditional means. But the B-52 cart start allows the aircraft that's arguably the most synonymous with dropping bombs to do so with an explosion of its own. If you’re an experienced aviator, you’re likely familiar with the technique. Nevertheless, it’s important for everyone to realize that one of the keys to our national security relies on mini controlled explosions that get everything started. Read next:The Legendary Chicken Gun is the Ultimate Quality Control Test for Military Plane

B-52 Cartridge Start Is an Aviation Necessity

War readiness is a key component for any armed force. The U.S. Air Force (USAF) is one of the branches that can go to war the fastest. Being able to respond in under 24 hours or within a day or two, depending on the circumstances of the conflict, is a vital tool of the force to keep Americans safe. In such responses, every hour, minute, and second count. There's no time to waste, and under normal circumstances, a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress can take around an hour to get going. Luckily, the genius minds in the USAF know a hack to shorten this time tremendously. Safety is important, and this is a large part of why it takes time to get these engineering marvels ready to go. But when time is of the essence, the B-52 cartridge start is a pyrotechnic method that allows these aircraft to be ready to serve in about ten minutes. Below, you can watch a B-52’s engines literally explode into action with a “cart start” like they would during times of immediate crisis. It's an unusual method that can help Airmen respond to threats faster than traditional means. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JC8DlnJSVU

War Readiness Comes Down Tiny Shells

The technique of using a cart start can be traced back to the 1930s when pilots used them to take off in areas where electricity wasn’t widely available. But a major geo-political event would take things to the next level as warfare became much more global. During the Cold War, the U.S. Strategic Air Command had a problem. They needed a way to respond immediately to nuclear threats, and again, it can take time for aircraft to be ready for takeoff. This problem forced a solution. For lack of a better term, when you cart start a B-52, you’ll use a “shotgun shell” type of device that provides a necessary explosion to cut the time it requires for takeoff by getting the bomber’s turbofan engines going. The shells are about ten inches around and weigh roughly eight pounds. According to John Brehman, a Veteran who served during the Global War on Terror as a B-52 crew chief, “They simply supply a huge volume of pressurized gas into the engine in a short time to turn the compressor. The carts were activated by a circuit from the aircraft’s battery, and as such had to be protected from static electricity as much as possible, lest they inadvertently fire.” To make the B-52 engine start cartridge technique work, the launch process has the aircraft hook up to a generator and an air car for two of the eight engines. The ground crew will start the engines and check for fires while the other engines begin working alongside the others during this time. Although only two engines are used in this situation, each can be connected and started in such a fashion.

B-52 Cartridge Start: American-Made Innovation

"Cart-starts" make a quick launch for B-52s and are just another great innovation brought to us by the American Armed Forces. Today, it stands as yet another important layer of defensive measures available to the USAF. Regardless of the difficulties presented geographically for most of the nations in the world to attack America, we still have plenty of territories, citizens abroad, and allies to consider. Being ready at a moment’s notice is a great attribute for our Airmen to have. The B-52 cartridge start helps make this and so much more possible. Suggested read:It’s a Bird...no, but It Is a Plane and a Hospital! Meet the C-17