The B‑52H Stratofortress was observed circling at approximately 10,000 feet over the Solent on Tuesday morning before beginning a controlled descent, Air Live has reported.
Flight data indicates the crew transmitted a Squawk 7700 — the international signal for a general emergency — before turning north towards Gloucestershire.
The aircraft, registration 60‑0060, is based at RAF Fairford, the USAF’s main operating hub for strategic bombers in Europe.
The jet is reported to have landed safely at Fairford’s Runway 27 at 9.38 am GMT.
Sources have suggested the emergency was due to a depressurisation issue. These situations occur when the air pressure inside the cabin drops, requiring an immediate descent to a safer altitude.
RAF Fairford, though a UK base, is maintained by the United States Air Force and frequently supports long‑range NATO missions and training flights.
The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, heavy strategic bomber that has served as a backbone of U.S. airpower since 1955, with the H-model entering service in 1961.
The incident has not yet been confirmed by the Ministry of Defence, and they have been contacted for a comment.