B-1 Lancer aka the BONE
All about the infamous B-1bomber and a look back on 2023
It is the function of grand strategy to discover and exploit the Achilles’ heel of the enemy nation; to strike not against its strongest bulwark but against its most vulnerable spot.
-B.H. Liddell Hart
Mission Briefing
The B-1 Lancer aka the BONE is a sometimes-forgotten bomber. With the long serving B-52 occasionally grabbing headlines and the B-2 Spirit somehow still being a bit of a mystery to this day, not to mention its smaller cousin the B-21 Raider. Let's take a quick journey back to the origins of the B-1 Lancer, a remarkable aircraft that has etched its name in aviation history. Imagine the late 1960s, a period marked by rapid technological advancements and the height of the Cold War. It was during this tense era that the United States felt the pressing need for a new strategic bomber that could penetrate Soviet air defenses. Enter the B-1 Lancer, a project born out of necessity and innovation.
Initially, the B-1 program faced a series of ups and downs. The original B-1A model, conceived as a high-altitude, high-speed bomber, was developed in the early 1970s. It was a marvel of engineering, capable of speeds exceeding Mach 2. However, its fate was hanging by a thread. In 1977, the program was canceled by President Carter, primarily due to cost concerns and the emergence of new technology like cruise missiles which seemed to offer a more cost-effective solution.
Fast forward to the 1980s, and the narrative takes a turn. The Reagan administration revived the program, but this time with a twist. The revamped version, the B-1B, was optimized for low-level penetration, flying under enemy radar at high subsonic speeds. This shift was a strategic adaptation to the evolving nature of global air defenses. The B-1B Lancer, with its variable-geometry wings, advanced avionics, and massive payload capacity, became a symbol of American air power.
Entering service in 1986, the B-1B played a crucial role in various military operations. It showcased its capabilities in 1998’s Operation Desert Fox (not to be confused with 1991’s Operation Desert Storm) in Iraq and in Kosovo during Operation Allied Force. With its ability to carry a large payload of precision-guided munitions, it became a key player in the United States' long-range bombing capabilities.
In recent years, the B-1B has undergone numerous upgrades to its avionics, communications, and weapons systems, ensuring its relevance in modern warfare. However, it's set to be replaced by the upcoming B-21 Raider as part of the USAF's future strategic bomber fleet.
The B-1 Lancer's journey, marked by initial skepticism, technological adaptations, and eventual triumph, is a testament to the evolving nature of military aviation and strategic requirements. It stands not just as a piece of machinery but as a symbol of the ever-changing landscape of aerial warfare and defense strategies.
This story of the B-1 Lancer serves as an intriguing chapter in the annals of military aviation history, reflecting both the challenges and innovations that shape our world's defense capabilities.
This week in aviation history
23 December 1973: In keeping with the B-1 theme for this week’s newsletter we go all the way back to the first flight, when the prototype of the Rockwell B-1A Lancer, a strategic bomber capable of reaching speeds of Mach 2.2, took to the skies. This prototype, bearing the serial number 74-0158, embarked on its maiden flight from Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. The aircraft was under the command of Charles C. Bock, Jr., a seasoned company test pilot and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, alongside pilot Colonel Emil Sturmthal and flight test engineer Richard Abrams. Post its initial flight evaluation, the B-1A made a smooth landing at Edwards Air Force Base, located roughly 22 miles northeast of Palmdale.
The Rockwell International B-1A Lancer was designed as a four-crew bomber, stretching 150 feet and 2.5 inches in length. It featured variable geometry wings, which spanned 78 feet, 2.5 inches when fully swept, and 136 feet, 8.5 inches when extended. Standing tall at 33 feet, 7.25 inches high at the vertical fin's tip, the wings were set at an angle of 2°, with a slight anhedral and twist, and leading edges swept between 15° and 67½°. The total wing area was a massive 1,946 square feet.
The B-1A's empty weight stood at approximately 173,000 pounds, with a maximum takeoff weight of 389,800 pounds. Impressively, it could refuel mid-air, pushing its maximum weight to 422,000 pounds. It was powered by four General Electric F101-GE-100 afterburning turbofan engines, each offering up to 29,850 pounds of thrust with afterburner. These engines, spanning 15 feet in length and 4 feet, 7.2 inches in diameter, were integral in propelling the bomber to its maximum speed of 1,262 knots (1,452 mph/2,337 kph) at an optimum altitude of 53,000 feet. The B-1A boasted a combat range of 5,675 nautical miles and a maximum ferry range of 6,242 nautical miles.
Designed for versatility, the B-1A could carry up to 75,000 pounds of bombs, including a mix of conventional and nuclear ordnance. It had the capacity for 84 MK-82 conventional bombs or various configurations of nuclear bombs and missiles, including the B43, B61, B77, and AGM-69 SRAM.
Each of the four prototypes played a unique role during the testing phase, with 74-0158 being the flight evaluation aircraft. Despite its advanced capabilities, the B-1A program was eventually canceled. By that time, 74-0158 had completed 79 flights, accumulating 405.3 hours in the air. The aircraft was later dismantled and repurposed for weapons training at Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado, marking the end of a significant chapter in aviation history.
In case you missed it
The F-5E Tiger II video is the second part in a two-part series on one of the most timeless airframe designs:
Photo Outlet
A C-130 used as a “Hurricane Hunter” they fly these through the eye of hurricanes while dropping probes to collect weather data - incredible and a testament to the durability of the airframe:
Post Flight Debrief
2023 was a year of ups and downs, both personally and on the worlds stage. This is the 34th consecutive weekly publication of the newsletter, and like all things will continue to grow and adapt over time. Thanks for being here, and here’s to many great things for you and yours in 2024. Now you know!
-Tog