B1-B

B-1B Lancer

The Bone

Nicknamed “The Bone,” the B-1B Lancer is a long-range, multi-mission, supersonic conventional bomber, which has served the United States Air Force since 1985. The aircraft is on track to continue flying, at current demanding operations tempo, out to 2040 and beyond, and Boeing partners with the Air Force to keep the B-1 mission ready. Originally designed for nuclear capabilities, the B-1 switched to an exclusively conventional combat role in the mid-1990s. In 1999, during Operation Allied Force, six B-1s flew 2 percent of the strike missions, yet dropped 20 percent of the ordnance, and during Operation Enduring Freedom the B-1 flew on 2 percent of the sorties while dropping over 40 percent of the precision weapons.

B-1 Snapshot

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B-1B Lancer Technical Specifications

Function Long-range, multi-role, heavy bomber
Power plant Four General Electric F101-GE-102 turbofan engine with afterburner
Thrust 30,000-plus pounds with afterburner, per engine
Wingspan 137 ft (41.8 m) extended forward, 79 ft (24.1 m) swept aft
Length 146 ft (44.5 meters)
Height 34 ft (10.4 meters)
Weight Approximately 190,000 lbs (86,183 kg)
Max Takeoff Weight 477,000 lbs (216,634 kg)
Fuel Capacity 265,274 lbs (120,326 kg)
Payload 75,000 lbs internal (34,019 kg), 50,000 lbs (22,679 kg)
Speed 900-plus mph (Mach 1.2 at sea level)
Range Intercontinental
Ceiling More than 30,000 ft (9,144 m)
Crew 4 (aircraft commander, copilot, and two weapon systems officers)

B1B Lancer Gallery

B-1B Lancer Customer

Since the U.S. Air Force received its first B-1B in 1984, the bomber has served the country as both a conventional and nuclear strike option.

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