How B-52 Bombers Scramble: Small Explosives Power the Engines...

Normally, it takes over an hour to start up a B-52 bomber, but a method called "cartridge starts" or "cart-starts" can reduce the startup time to under 10 minutes.
A small-controlled explosive called a starter cartridge, filled with approximately 4 lb (1.8 kg) of gunpowder, is placed into each engine to quick-start the B-52.

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Film Credits: U.S. Air Force

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