The US Air Force currently has 62 B-1B Lancer bombers. The predecessor of the B-1B Lancer is the B-1A version designed by Rockwell International in the mid-1970s, to meet the US Air Force’s need for a nucleаr bоmber that specializes in operating at high altitudes and reaching high altitudes. speed over 2,500 km/h. However, only four B-1As were built before US President Jimmy Carter canceled the project in June 1977.
In October 1981, Project Lancer was restarted by order of President Ronald Reagan with a series of major changes. The B-1B design is optimized for the task of penetrating airspace at low altitudes, while also applying many improvements to reduce the radar reflection area. This aircraft can no longer reach a speed of 2,500 km/h like the original, it can only fly at a maximum speed of 1,100 km/h at an altitude of less than 150m, but has a survivability many times higher than the B-1A. .
A total of 100 B-1Bs were produced between 1983 and 1988. In October 1986, the first B-1B was officially commissioned into the US Air Force. Since then, the B-1B has become the US strategic bоmber with the largest weapons load when it is 44.5m long, 10.4m high and has an empty weight of 87.1 tons. The aircraft uses a swept-wing structure, helping to improve take-off and landing capabilities and reduce resistance when flying at low altitudes.
The B-1B’s wingspan is 42m wide when spread and 24m when folded. Four GE F101-GE-102 jet engines provide propulsion allowing the B-1B to reach a maximum speed of 1,340 km/h at an altitude of 12,000m or 1,100 km/h when 150m above the ground. Its maximum flight range reaches 9,400 km, this number is reduced to 5,545 km if carrying the maximum weapon load. The B-1B was born to replace the strategic bоmber role of the B-52 “flying fortress”.
After the end of the Cold Wаr, the US Air Force eliminated the ability to carry nucleаr bombs on the B-1B fleet, turning them into platforms specializing in deploying conventional weapons. In 1998, the B-1B Lancer’s first real combat appearance was in the “Desert Fox” campaign. Next, the B-1B Lancer bombed the enemy in the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and most recently Syria. In recent years, the US has continuously added smart weapon systems, data transmission lines and new-generation sensors to ensure the power of B-1Bs. One of the biggest upgrade packages is to equip the SABR-GS active electronically scanned array radar, applying many radar technologies on F-22 and F-35 fighters.
The B-1B Lancer is currently the aircraft with the largest bоmb load in the world, being able to carry 84 Mk-82 bombs, 24 GBU-31 JDAM smart bombs, 48 GBU-38 JDAM smart bombs, 12 glide bombs. AGM-154 JSOW (also known as аttаck weapon beyond point air defense range), or 24 AGM-158 JASSM missiles with a range of 370km. The total weapon load of the B-1B is up to 57 tons.
Currently, the B-1B serves as a strategic bоmber force and a nucleаr deterrent force for the United States. However, in reality for many years, B-1B bоmber squadrons have largely suspended combat missions due to the high cost of technical maintenance. Problems with the technical condition of the B-1B Lancer have been around for a long time.
The Pentagon noted that continuous support operations for B-1 Lancer bombers over the past 20 years have damaged the fuselage structure due to overexploitation, these aircraft have been actively used in military operations, flew thousands of sorties, mainly in the Middle East, for which the Lancers were unsuited to the climatic conditions there. According to the commander’s estimates, maintaining the oldest aircraft requires from 10 to 30 million USԀ.
Even so, the B-1B is still considered a very important aircraft. The scope of deployment of these aircraft is increasingly expanding. Recently, the Pentagon moved a Lancer squadron to Norway to once again show off its strength and readiness against Russia in the North. The US is trying every way to extend the life of supersonic strategic aircraft. Without them, the US has no way to deliver bombs and missiles to cоnflict zones – the situation with other heavy aircraft is not much better. However, according to military experts, despite being upgraded, the B-1B cannot survive in areas with dense air defense networks. It only operates optimally in medium threаt environments, with support from allied fighters and аttаck aircraft.
In mid-February 2021, the first Lancer took off from Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota and flew to the Aircraft Cemetery at Davis-Monthan military base, Arizona. By the end of this year, it is expected that up to 17 B-1B aircraft will be decommissioned by the US.
After eliminating some aircraft, the US Air Force will redirect freed resources to the remaining 45 strategic aircraft. The last B-1B will be decommissioned in 2036.