Old Bomber?: The B-1B Lancer, introduced in 1985 during the Cold War, remains a vital part of the U.S. Air Force’s bomber fleet despite its planned retirement in the early 2030s.
-With the new B-21 Raider still in testing, the B-1B’s service life may extend further.
-Renowned for its heavy payload and versatility, the “Bone” has adapted to conventional warfare roles since losing its nuclear capability post-Cold War.
-However, the B-1B faces challenges against advanced air defenses from adversaries like China and Russia.
-Until the B-21 enters full service, the B-1B must remain a key player in U.S. strategic and tactical missions.
The Future of the B-1B Lancer: Extending Service Amid Modern Threats
The B-1B Bomber was born during the Cold War when the threat of nuclear war with Russia was a real possibility.
The US needed a strategic bomber that could fly at supersonic speed at low altitudes to avoid Russian radar and deliver nuclear payloads against strategic targets.
The B-1B was officially named the Lancer, but the pilots call it the “Bone,” taken from the spelling B-one. It is a variable sweep-wing heavy bomber with the highest payload in the Air Force inventory.
The B-1B, along with subsonic B-52 and the B-2 Stealth bombers, are the backbone of the USAF bomber force. The B-1 program is slated for retirement; however, due to the delays of the new B-21 Raider bomber project, that retirement needs to be put on hold.
History of the B-1B:
The B-1A bomber was first developed in the 1970s as a supersonic replacement for the B-52 Stratofortress. The original design could fly at speeds of Mach 2.2 (1,688 mph). However, President Carter cut the program in 1977.
President Reagan revived the program in 1981, and some changes were made. The payload was increased to 74,000 pounds, an improved radar and reduction of the radar cross-section, and the inlets were decreased in size, which lowered the top speed to Mach 1.2 (920 mph).
A B-1B Lancer bomber assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., waits to be guided into a parking spot after returning to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, from a bomber task force mission, June 8, 2022. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Nicholas Priest.
The first B-1B bomber was delivered in 1985. By 1988, all 100 orders had been delivered, and production stopped. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the signing of the START nuclear arms treaty with Russia, the B-1B was completely refitted to remove the ability to carry nuclear weapons.
In its conventional strike role, the B-1B was first used in combat in Iraq in Operation Desert Fox in 1998 and has been used there and in Afghanistan. Earlier this year, B-1Bs were used in Syria.
General Characteristics B-1B Lancer:
Primary Function: Long-range, multi-role, heavy bomber
Contractor: Boeing, North America (formerly Rockwell International, North American Aircraft)
Power plant: Four General Electric F101-GE-102 turbofan engines with afterburner
Thrust: 30,000-plus pounds with afterburner per engine
Wingspan: 137 feet (41.8 meters) extended forward, 79 feet (24.1 meters) swept aft
Length: 146 feet (44.5 meters)
Height: 34 feet (10.4 meters)
Four B-1B Lancers assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, arrive Feb. 6, 2017, at Andersen AFB, Guam. The 9th EBS is taking over U.S. Pacific Command’s continuous bomber presence operations from the 34th EBS, assigned to Ellsworth AFB, S.D. The B-1B’s speed and superior handling characteristics allow it to seamlessly integrate in mixed force packages. While deployed at Guam the B-1Bs will continue conducting flight operations where international law permit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Richard P. Ebensberger)
Weight: approximately 190,000 pounds (86,183 kilograms)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 477,000 pounds (216,634 kilograms)
Fuel Capacity: 265,274 pounds (120,326 kilograms)
Payload: 75,000 pounds (34,019 kilograms)
Speed: 900-plus mph (Mach 1.2 at sea level)
Range: Intercontinental
Ceiling: More than 30,000 feet (9,144 meters)
Armament: 84 500-pound Mk-82 or 24 2,000-pound Mk-84 general purpose bombs; up to 84 500-pound Mk-62 or 8 2,000-pound Mk-65 Quick Strike naval mines; 30 cluster munitions (CBU-87, -89, -97) or 30 Wind-Corrected Munitions Dispensers (CBU-103, -104, -105); up to 24 2,000-pound GBU-31 or 15 500-pound GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions; up to 24 AGM-158A
Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles; 15 GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munitions
Crew: Four (aircraft commander, copilot, and two combat systems officers)
Unit Cost: $317 million
Initial operating capability: October 1986
Inventory: Active force, 45
Retirement Forecast Too Soon
The B-1B Lancer has performed admirably during its service, and the slated retirement date in the early 2030s seemed like perfect timing. However, that timeframe may be off as the new B-21 Raider project is still in the test flight stage.
Now, the dilemma is how to keep the B-1 B’s aged airframes airworthy. Another issue is that the B-1B fleet was designed for a totally different type of war, with its lack of stealth technology. Should the Air Force try to keep the B-1s flying indefinitely? Given the state of the US’ potential adversaries’ air defenses, that answer is no.
U.S. Air Force maintainers from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, work 24/7 servicing and inspecting the B-1B Lancer. They are maintainers within the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing’s 34th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit (nicknamed “the backbone of the bone”) and provide hundreds of thousands of manpower hours during six month deployments to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. Maintainers comprise approximately a dozen different career specialties to ensure the aircraft flies and meets mission throughout the Middle East. The Lancer carries the largest conventional payload of guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory.
The US had total air superiority in the skies over Iraq and Afghanistan, and those countries had no air defenses that could challenge the US bombers in the sky.
Our potential adversaries (China and Russia) have very sophisticated air defenses that would jeopardize the B-1B fleet’s survivability.
However, until sufficient B-21 Raiders are available, the USAF must continue to use the “BONE” to complete any potential missions. And that may stretch past their retirement dates.
About the Author:
Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in other military publications.
