Rockwell B-1B Lancer

Rockwell B-1B Lancer USAF 86-0111
Rockwell B-1B Lancer USAF 86-0111

 

After years of discussions, the B-1B was introduced in the USAF in 1988.

After the project was cancelled by President Carter in June 1977, the Reagan administration decided in October 1981 to build a fleet of 100 B1-B’s for 28 billion Dollar.

Fitted with a “swept-wing” construction the B-1B is capable to perform attacks at low altitudes with speeds up to 960 Kph.

Developing Nation: United States
First Flight(s): December 23rd 1974
First operational: March 1988
Crew: 4
Wing Span: 41,67m spread, and 23,84m swept.
Height: 10,62 m
Length: 44,81 m
Weight empty: 87091 kg
Weight Max. Load: maximum take-off 216367 kg
Engines: four General Electric F101-GE-102
Max. Speed: 1328 km/h
Max. Height: service ceiling 15240 m
Max. Range: 12000 km
Fuel and Load: internal fuel 88452 kg
Maximum ordnance 34020 kg internally
And 26762 kg externally
Weapons: AGM-69A SRAM-A (short-range attack missile)
AGM-86B ALCM?? (air-launched cruise missile)
B61 or B83 nuclear bombs
October 7, 2001 Afghanistan, Enduring Freedom.Air-to-ground strikes against Osama bin Laden’s Al-Quaida and the Taliban with cruise missiles.
The B-1B is only in use by the United States Air Force.

Combat Service and Awards

The B-1B has been distinguished by the following combat activity and awards:

  • Combat operations including Desert Fox (Iraq, 1998), Allied Force (Kosovo, 1999), Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan, 2001+), Iraqi Freedom (2003+)
  • A very high ratio of precision guided munitions dropped per combat sortie — from a maximum ratio of 1% of sorties delivering 22% of the guided weapons in Iraqi Freedom (1:22) to a minimum ratio of 5% of sorties delivering 70% of the JDAM weapons in Afghanistan (5:70)
  • 100 world records for speed, payload, and distance

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