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Product Type: |
Long-Range Multi-Role Heavy Bomber |
Using Service (US): |
Air Force (USAF) |
Program Status: |
No more new aircraft will be procured. Focus is on upgrades, modifications and sustainment. |
Prime Contractor: |
Rockwell Int'l (The Boeing Company) |
The Boeing (Rockwell International) B-1B Lancer is a long range, multi-mission conventional bomber.
The aircraft is powered by four General Electric F101-GE-102
afterburning turbofan engines, each delivering 30,780 pounds of thrust.
Developed from the B-1A bomber, 100 B-1B Lancers were produced by Rockwell International from 1984 to 1988 to perform long-range nuclear bombing missions. In 1990s, the B-1B was transitioned to the conventional weapons mission it performs today.
In 2001, 32 aircraft were retired. In combat, the B-1B has distinguished itself by employing large quantities of ordnance for
relatively few sorties.
The B-1B is equipped with the Northrop Grumman AN/APQ-164 advanced phased array fire control, navigation and weapon targeting radar.
The AN/APQ-164 provides the B-1B with a high resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capable of tracking,
targeting and engaging moving vehicles as well as self-targeting and terrain-following
modes. In addition, an extremely accurate GPS-aided Inertial Navigation System (INS) enables aircrews to navigate
without ground-based navigation aids as well as engage targets with a high level of precision.
The Combat Track II radios provide a secure beyond line of sight reach back connectivity until Link-16 is integrated on the aircraft.
In a time-sensitive targeting environment, the aircrew can use targeting data from the Combined Air Operations Center over
Combat Track II to strike emerging targets rapidly and efficiently. This capability was effectively demonstrated during
operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
The B-1B's onboard self-protection electronic jamming equipment, radar warning receiver, expendable countermeasures (chaff and flare) system,
and a towed decoy system (AN/ALE-50) complements the aircraft's low-radar cross-section to form an integrated and robust defense system
that supports penetration of enemy airspace. The AN/ALQ-161 electronic countermeasures system detects and identifies
the full spectrum of enemy threat emitters and applies the appropriate jamming technique either automatically or through operator input.
The B-1B Lancer has three internal weapon bays that can carry 25,000 pounds of ordnance each. The B-1B Lancer carries a wide array of weaponry, including Mk 82 and Mk 84 General Purpose Bombs Mk 62 and Mk 65 Quick Strike naval mines, CBU-87/89/97, CBU-103/104/105 Wind Corrected Munitions Dispensers (WCMD). The B-1B also carries 2,000 pound GBU-31 or 500 pound GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), and AGM-154 Joint Stand-Off Weapons (JSOW). For more details, see specifications below.
Carrying the heaviest weapons payload (75,000 pounds) of all aircraft in the Air Force inventory, the B-1B Lancer is the backbone of the U.S. long-range bomber force. It can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time.
FY 12 radar sustainability and capability upgrades will provide a more reliable aircraft system and may be upgraded in the future to include an ultra high-resolution capability and automatic target recognition. The addition of a Fully Integrated Data Link (FIDL), will add Link-16 communications capability. FIDL combined with associated cockpit upgrades will provide the crew with a more flexible, integrated cockpit, and will allow the B-1B to operate in the fast-paced integrated battlefield of the future. Several obsolete and hard to maintain electronic systems are also being replaced to improve aircraft reliability.
The primary B-1B modifications and upgrades in FY 13 are the Fully Integrated Data Link (FIDL) and
the Vertical Situation Display Upgrade (VSDU).
The Fully Integrated Data Link (FIDL) is a net-centric warfare upgrade enabling full B-1B participation in joint combat
and time-critical targeting operations. FIDL adds permanent line-of-sight and beyond line-of-sight command and control
connectivity through addition of the Link 16 and Joint Range Extension (JRE) data link. This modification also upgrades
rear cockpit crew station displays and adds an Ethernet infrastructure enabling rapid airborne retargeting by
high-speed transfer of aircraft information to all four crew stations and on-board weapons.
The Vertical Situation Display Upgrade (VSDU) is a safety-critical program to replace B-1B pilot and co-pilot primary
flight displays and associated flight instruments. The current VSDs are monochrome cathode ray tube displays
and steam gauge primary flight instruments, which are experiencing Diminishing Manufacturing Sources issues
with the potential to ground aircraft. Spares are no longer procurable due to obsolescence. This modification
installs two 8"x6" color displays at pilot and co-pilot stations to provide Primary Flight Information (PFI)
and backup PFI to meet flight safety standards. These displays also provide front crew situational awareness
from the Fully Integrated Data Link (FIDL), enhancing the ability to avoid threats and strike emerging targets.
For more information about these and other B-1B modifications,
click to see the Complete FY 2013 B-1B Budget.
Sources Used: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), The Boeing Company,
and Northrop Grumman Corp.
Last Update: January 24, 2013.
By Joakim Kasper Oestergaard
The Boeing Company: B-1B Lancer
Northrop Grumman: AN/APQ-164 Radar System
YouTube: Boeing B-1B Lancer | YouTube Videos
Fact Sheet: Boeing B-1B Lancer | Fact Sheet
B-1B U.S. Defense Budget Charts: |
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Primary Function: Long-range multi-role heavy bomber |
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