At the height of the Cold War period, the United States Air Force invested heavily in a new supersonic strategic-level heavy bomber. The road to the B-1 'Lancer', begun during the 1960s, was a long, arduous, and expensive one, resulting in a bloated project that gestated for two decades before bearing fruit through 104 examples. Despite this, the B-1 has grown beyond its early shortcomings to become a highly effective supersonic 'swing-wing' penetrator at both low- and -high-altitudes. Today, the Lancer remains one of three strategic options alongside the B-52 'Stratofortress' and the B-2 'Spirit' and will remain so for the neat future thanks to modernization, excellent performance, and inherent firepower.
4 CREW
Speed
830 MPH
Ceiling
59,055 FEET
Range
3,446 MILES
Mission Roles
GROUND ATTACK
STRIKE
RECON
Gallery
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Image from the U.S. DoD DIVDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DIVDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DIVDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DIVDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DIVDS imagery database; Public Release.
Service Ceiling 59,055 ft | 18,000 m | 11.18 miles
Operational Range 3,446 miles | 5,545 km | 2,994 nm
Rate-of-Climb 5,678 ft/min | 1,731 m/min
(Showcased performance statistics pertain to the B-1B production model)
Length 147.64 feet (45.00 meters)
Width 137.80 feet (42.00 meters)
Height 111.55 feet (34.00 meters)
(Showcased measurements pertain to the B-1B production model)
Empty 192,022 lb (87,100 kg)
M.T.O.W. 477,003 lb (216,365 kg)
(Showcased weights pertain to the B-1B production model)
3 x Internal bomb bays supporting up to 75,000lb of drop / air-launched stores; 6 x External hardpoints carrying an additional 50,000lb of ordnance. Weapons include general purpose / conventional drop bombs, laser-guided / precision-guided bombs, cruise missiles, nuclear bombs (B61/B83), naval mines, cluster bombs, munitions dispensers, anti-ship / air-to-surface missiles, and Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW). Supported Types:
Air-to-Surface Missiles
Anti-Ship Missiles
Cruise Missiles
Precision-Guided Bombs
Conventional Drop Bombs
Nuclear Weapons
B-1 'Lancer' - Base Series Designation.
B-1A - Initial operating model consisting of four prototype-level airframes; variable engine intake design; Mach 2.2 capable; not serially produced.
B-1B - Modernized/updated B-1 variant; stealth features; reduced maximum speed for low-level supersonic flight; 100 examples completed.
B-1R ('Regional') - Proposed B-1B upgrade; air-to-air missile support; PW F119 turbofan engines (4x); reduced range but maintaining Mach 2.2 capability; increased weapons load out; AESA radar installation.
Related to the B-1 "Lancer"
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Entries with similar traits, features, or shared history to the Rockwell International B-1
"Lancer"
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Air-to-Surface Missiles
Anti-Ship Missiles
Cruise Missiles
Precision-Guided Bombs
Conventional Drop Bombs
Nuclear Weapons
