Tag Archives: B-1B Lancer

Air, Air Force, Bombers

Hypersonic weapons

The B-1B Lancer’s expanded carriage capabilities comes one step closer to fruition following an external captive carry flight over the skies of Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), California, November 20.

B-1B Lancer
A B-1B Lancer with a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) flies in the skies above Edwards Air Force Base, California, November 20. The flight was a demonstration of the B-1B’s external weapons carriage capabilities (Air Force photo by Ethan Wagner)

The flight featured a B-1B Lancer assigned to the 412th Test Wing’s 419th Flight Test Squadron, Global Power Combined Test Force, and carried an inert Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile under an external pylon for the first time.

This demonstration may pave the way possibly for the B-1B Lancer to carry hypersonic weapons externally.

«Adapting a small number of our healthiest B-1s to carry hypersonic weapons is vital to bridge between the bomber force we have today, to the force of tomorrow», said General Tim Ray, Air Force Global Strike Command commander. «This is a major step forward in our global precision fires capability and it is important we pursue these technologies to remain ahead of our competitors. My goal is to have a limited number of B-1s modified to become the roving linebacker of the western Pacific and the North Atlantic».

The captive carry flight was the culmination of the numerous ground tests that began with last year’s expanded carriage demonstration that included a modified internal bomb bay, which featured a moveable bulkhead. The demonstration showcased a configuration of the B-1B Lancer that would allow the aircraft to carry larger-sized weapons both internally and externally.

«We’re essentially displaying our external weapons carriage capability», said Major Bret Cunningham, a B-1B Lancer test pilot with the 419th FLTS. «We have a JASSM weapon on what is traditionally the targeting pod pylon on the forward right hard point, so we are demonstrating that the B-1B Lancer has the capability to carry weapons and employ them externally».

This extensive engineering review will help the Air Force understand areas where it needs to focus on to maintain the B-1B Lancer as a multi-mission weapon system, potentially laying the groundwork for integration of future weapons on the aircraft.

The B-1B Lancer was initially designed to incorporate a moveable bulkhead and usable external hard points for its original nuclear mission, however the U.S. shifted the Lancer’s mission to conventional weapons in 1994. The physical conversion to conventional-only armaments started in 2007 with the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), and was finished in 2011.

The current expanded carriage demonstrations will keep the aircraft compliant with the New START agreement, which means the Lancer can once again utilize those features while delivering conventional weapons.

«Since the long bay demo last year this has really been our key focus point in 2020; getting ready for this external weapons release demo as kind of the next step in that progression towards external weapons carriage and hypersonic capabilities for the B-1B Lancer», Cunningham said. «We’re pretty close to the culmination of this demo event and reaching that next milestone».

The demonstration could mean a potential boon for combatant commanders as the increase in weapons stores remedies an immediate shortfall due to the limited number of strategic bombers. The proposed increase in capacity means that two bombers would equal to three bombers’ worth of weapons.

Following the captive carry mission, engineers will then review the data gathered from the flight before moving on to the next of phase of the demonstration; an external weapons release.

«For us, we’re looking to do this safely, since this is the first time, we will release a weapon from the external hard point in over 30 years», said Agustin Martinez, project test lead. «So, we pretty much focused on doing a safe build up approach…to make sure the JASSM and the B-1B Lancer are communicating correctly; the JASSM has correct surface deployment timelines so once it does get released it will safely separate».

Engineers within the Air Force Test Center (AFTC) enterprise, B-1B Lancer system program office and Boeing will verify both the weapon’s and pylon’s integration with the B-1B Lancer. They are also interested in the physical effects, software, and flying qualities of the new shape on the outer mold line of the aircraft, Cunningham explained.

«The Air Force Test Center is enthusiastically teaming with Global Strike to enable greater flexibility in B-1B Lancer operational payloads», said Major General Christopher Azzano, AFTC commander. «The external carriage and long-bay mods reflect our ability to keep weapon systems relevant with mid-life upgrades».

AFTC has a long history of certifying external carriage weapons, Azzano added.

That history of test success and uniqueness of the mission is not lost on testers such as Cunningham and his B-1B Lancer flight crew.

«This is a great example of how we are accelerating change to meet our adversaries, and the engineers and operators should be commended for their work in getting this demonstration completed», Ray added. «We will continue to invest in and modernize the bomber fleet while increasing the lethality of our global precision fires to be anywhere and anytime».

This demonstration does not affect the Air Force’s request to retire 17 B-1B Lancer bombers in 2021.

Air Force

Test event

The U.S. Navy is closer to delivering its new Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) after completing another milestone test flight from an Air Force B-1B Lancer December 8 over Point Mugu Sea Test Range in California.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer releases the Navy's Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) during a test event December 8 off the coast of California (U.S. Navy photo)
A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer releases the Navy’s Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) during a test event December 8 off the coast of California (U.S. Navy photo)

During the test, aircrew aboard the B-1B Lancer simultaneously launched two missiles against multiple moving maritime targets for the first time.

«The completion of this test marks another significant accomplishment for the innovative team of government and industry professionals committed to fielding dominant surface warfare capability on an accelerated timeline», said Captain Todd Huber, LRASM program manager.

When operational, LRASM will provide flexible, long-range, advanced, anti-surface capability against high-threat maritime targets. It will play a significant role in ensuring military access to operate in open ocean and the littorals due to its enhanced ability to discriminate and conduct tactical engagements from extended ranges.

Early operational capability for the LRASM is slated for 2018 on the U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancer and 2019 on the U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

Navy completes LRASM milestone test event (U.S. Navy photo)
Navy completes LRASM milestone test event (U.S. Navy photo)
Air Force

Long-range strike

After more than a decade of performing precision strike operations in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility, the B-1 Lancers have returned home. While U.S. and coalition aircraft step in to continue the air campaign in Iraq and Syria, where B-1s from Dyess and Ellsworth Air Force Bases (AFBs) delivered devastating blows to Daesh forces, the Lancers are stateside, completing the largest fleet sustainment block upgrade in the program’s history.

A 9th Bomb Squadron B-1B Lancer at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, begins its 15-hour flight to the Alaskan Yukon Range February 23, 2016, during a B-1 Combat Mission Effectiveness Exercise (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin Mayfield/Released)
A 9th Bomb Squadron B-1B Lancer at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, begins its 15-hour flight to the Alaskan Yukon Range February 23, 2016, during a B-1 Combat Mission Effectiveness Exercise (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin Mayfield/Released)

The 7th Bomb Wing is wasting no time putting those upgrades to work, recently executing a short-notice, long-range strike exercise to successfully demonstrate, for the first time, the U.S. Air Force’s ability to deploy Block 16 B-1s during a 15-hour flight to the Yukon Range in Alaska.

«This exercise proved that the B-1 fleet is now capable of deploying and employing Block 16 aircraft to provide a global strike presence within hours of being tasked», according to Captain Ryan Stillwell, wing weapons officer, adding that the Block 16 modifications allow the aircraft to perform more efficiently and effectively than ever before.

A key element of the modifications he pointed out is that the upgrade allows better data sharing between aircrew and aircraft in the sky.

«The Block 16 upgrade results in increased situational awareness in the jets as well as increased reliability in our systems and displays», Stillwell said. «This ties us into the external sensors the rest of the U.S. Air Force and military provide in a more usable way».

This enhanced capability not only aids the crew of the B-1 Lancer, but allows other military assets to be better prepared against enemy threats.

«B-1s are a global deterrence platform in the conventional strike role; we can put bombs on targets anywhere in the world, anytime», Stillwell said. «Block 16 enables that because it increases our situational awareness and it makes us more lethal. We can share target and threat data with other assets, which help us survive and allow us to place our weapons in an accurate location in a quicker timeline against the enemy».

Block 16 has made the B-1 Lancer a complete combat machine, the captain added. «The B-1 is not limited to a certain sortie duration», Stillwell said. «Our B-1s are only limited to crew fatigue, as long as the crew is rested and we get in-air refueling there is no limit to how far our B-1 can go».

An important piece of the exercise was to ensure the Block 16 B-1s are ready for that long-duration mission. «One of the key planning factors was demonstrating the global reach of the B-1», said Lieutenant Colonel Luke Baker, 7th Bomb Wing director of inspections. «We also wanted to demonstrate its global capability with long-range and precision attacks, which allows us to reach out and touch people across the world».

During this exercise the B-1’s three weapons bays were loaded with inert Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles and Joint Direct Attack Munitions. Both sets of weapons benefit the addition of the Block 16 technology by allowing the weapon systems officers to be more accurate in targeting the enemy.

While exercising a new system successfully was one objective, Stillwell pointed out that this exercise was also critical in ensuring the wing is capable of getting jets and Airmen ready to deploy in a short-notice scenario.

«We did this exercise to exercise the machine that is Dyess Air Force Base, which eventually results in putting bombs on targets», Stillwell said. «We were able to get all six aircraft launched on time. From the maintenance side and operation side they had everything ready before we launched the aircraft».

A successful deployment or exercise ultimately hinges on the skill and dedication of Airmen, and according to the 7th Bomb Wing vice commander, he never doubted they would achieve the targeted goal.

«It doesn’t surprise me that our Airmen were able to accomplish such a large task on such short order, because we have developed a ‘bomber Airmen’ culture, who are ready to defend the nation at any time», Colonel Michael Miller said. «These upgrades just further enhance the ability of our Airmen to do what they do best, which is putting steel on target».

Airmen assigned to the 7th Maintenance Group load an inert Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, in a B-1B Lancer February 21, 2016, during a B-1 Combat Mission Effectiveness exercise (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin Mayfield/Released)
Airmen assigned to the 7th Maintenance Group load an inert Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, in a B-1B Lancer February 21, 2016, during a B-1 Combat Mission Effectiveness exercise (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin Mayfield/Released)

 

General characteristics

Primary function long-range, multi-role, heavy bomber
Contractor Boeing, North America (formerly Rockwell International, North American Aircraft); offensive avionics, Boeing Military Airplane; defensive avionics, EDO Corporation
Power plant 4 × General Electric F101-GE-102 turbofan engine with afterburner
Thrust 30,780 lbf/13,962 kgf/136.92 kN with afterburner, per engine
Wingspan 137 feet/41.8 m extended forward
79 feet/24.1 m swept aft
Length 146 feet/44.5 m
Height 34 feet/10.4 m
Weight approximately 190,000 lbs/86,183 kg
Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) 477,000 lbs/216,634 kg
Fuel capacity 265,274 lbs/120,326 kg
Payload 75,000 lbs/34,019 kg
Speed Mach 1.2/900 mph/1,448 km/h at sea level
Range intercontinental
Ceiling more than 30,000 feet/9,144 m
Armament 84 500-pound/227-kg Mk-82 or 24 2,000-pound/907-kg Mk-84 general purpose bombs
up to 84 500-pound/227-kg Mk-62 or 8 2,000-pound/907-kg 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/907-kg GBU-31 or 15 500-pound/227-kg GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions
up to 24 AGM-158A Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM)
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 (IOC) October 1986
Inventory active force, 62 (test, 2); ANG, 0; Reserve, 0
Airmen assigned to the 7th Maintenance Group prep a B-1B Lancer’s bomb bay for a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile February 21, 2016, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, during a B-1 Combat Mission Effectiveness Exercise (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin Mayfield/Released)
Airmen assigned to the 7th Maintenance Group prep a B-1B Lancer’s bomb bay for a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile February 21, 2016, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, during a B-1 Combat Mission Effectiveness Exercise (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin Mayfield/Released)