The B-1B differed from the B-1A in several ways. The requirement for mach 2.2 flight was reduced to mach 1.25, simplifying the inlet and over-wing fairing structure. The maximum gross take-off weight was increased from 395,000 to 477,000 pounds and the radar cross section was reduced an order of magnitude.
This added takeoff weight capacity, in addition to a movable bulkhead between the forward and intermediate weapons bay, allows the B-1B to carry a wide variety of nuclear and conventional munitions. The most significant changes, however, are in the avionics, with low-radar cross-section, automatic terrain-following high-speed penetration, and precise weapons delivery.
The B-1B is a sleek, dartlike aircraft with a variable geometry "swing wing", which can be extended to full span for takeoff, landing, and long-range cruise, and swept back for high-speed penetration of adversary airspace.
Minimum sweep is 15 degrees and maximum sweep is 67.5 degrees. The junction where the wing sweeps into the wing glove features a "seal" to ensure aerodynamic cleanliness. The sealing system was derived from that developed for the European swing-wing Panavia Tornado strike fighter / interceptor, and features an inflatable bag covered with "fingers".
The wing has lift-enhancement devices for relatively short takeoffs with a full load, including seven-segment full-span leading-edge slats and six-segment trailing-edge Fowler-type flaps. There are no ailerons, with four spoilers on the top of each wing to provide lateral control and for use as airbrakes.
The B-1B has eight self-sealing fuel tanks, filling up much of the fuselage and parts of the wing assembly. Additional fuel tanks can be installed in the weapons bays. All fuel tanks are pressurized with inert nitrogen to reduce fuel explosion hazard. Incidentally, the B-1B's "Fuel & Center Of Gravity Management Subsystem (FCGMS)" shifts fuel from one tank to another to maintain trim when the aircraft changes the sweep of its wings.
The aircraft is made mostly of aluminum alloys and titanium, with a few composite elements. The central "box" that supports the swing wings is made of titanium. The aircraft is structurally reinforced to withstand the shock of a nuclear blast. The fuselage has smooth contours, with wing-body blending, and uses radar absorbing material (RAM) to give it a radar cross section only about one or two percent of that of the B-52, despite the fact that the two aircraft are roughly the same size. While the original prototype B-1As flew in a natty white anti-nuclear flash or a multitone camouflage paint scheme, operational B-1Bs have been given dark color schemes, eventually standardizing on an overall "gunship gray" paint job.
The B-1B is powered by four F101-GE-102 afterburning turbofans with 75.6 kN (7,710 kg / 17,000 lb) dry thrust and 136.9 kN (13,960 kg / 30,780 lb) afterburning thrust each. The B-1B can fly on only two engines if necessary, and can even stay in the air on one if much of the fuel is dumped.
The engines are organized into two pods with two engines each, mounted under the rear of the wing root gloves. Engine bleed is distributed throughout the aircraft for cabin pressurization and a range of other purposes. There is an auxiliary power unit (APU) mounted between the engines in each pod, primarily to start the engines. though they can be used for ground power. The APUs allow a quick startup of the engines so the bomber can get off the runway in a hurry. There's a switch on the nosewheel gear that a crewman can use to get the APUs and engines going even as the crew is getting into the bomber. A single APU can be used to fire up all four engines.
The B-1B is fitted with three weapons bays that can carry a total of up to 34,020 kilograms (75,000 pounds) of munitions. There is a partition between the two forward weapons bays that can be moved or removed to permit carriage of different types of stores, including cruise missiles.
The B-1B was originally tasked for delivery of free-fall nuclear weapons. with each bay carrying a single "Multi-Purpose Launcher (MPL)" with a capacity of eight nukes. The destructive capability of a single B-1B loaded up with 24 nuclear weapons is beyond comprehension.
While bombers like the B-52, B-1, and B-2 have proven to be highly valuable assets in the widespread small wars that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union, these conflicts have not required great fleets of such aircraft. In 2002, the Air Force decided to withdraw 33 of the 91 B-1Bs surviving in service. Eight of the 33 were used as static display pieces, with the other 24 sent to the "boneyard" at Davis-Montham AFB in Arizona. Ten of the 24 were mothballed, while the other 14 will be cannibalized for spares.
The number of B-1B bases was reduced from five to two, including Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota and Dyess AFB in Texas. There were some observers who suspected that the drawdown in B-1B stocks was just a prelude to phasing the machine out completely. It would be deeply ironic for the B-1B to be retired while the B-52H remains in service, but that remains to be seen.
In 2004 the Air Force requested that the aircraft industry submit proposals for a long-range strike platform, for development beginning in 2008, leading to an initial operational capability in 2015 and full operational capability in 2020. Boeing submitted a proposal for a "B-1R", where "R" stood for "Regional", which would be fitted with the Pratt & Whitney F-119 engine used on the F/A-22. Four F-119s would give the B-1R a top speed of over Mach 2 and an operational radius of 4,800 kilometers (3,000 miles). It would feature improved stealth features and countermeasures, state-of-the-art radar, AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles for self-defense, and a new light air-to-surface standoff missile.
The Air Force was simply investigating options, and Boeing provided a set of other concepts, such as a long-range robot bomber, a ballistic missile with a maneuvering reentry vehicle, and long-range cruise missiles. Air Force officials have also given some thought to using the B-1B to carry new high-powered attack lasers now in development, but this is a purely speculative concept at this time.
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Apr. 5th, 2008 | B-1B bomber catches fire on runway in Qatar
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Mar. 20th, 2008 | B-1B achieves first supersonic flight using synthetic fuel
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Mar. 18th, 2008 | Dyess to conduct Air Force's first supersonic flight with synthetic fue
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Jan. 10th, 2008 | Air strikes hit more than 40 targets in Iraq
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- 419th FLTS demonstrates Sniper pod capability
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- Northrop to Provide U.S. Air Force with B-1 Radar Components
- Boeing Completes Block E Avionics Upgrade of B-1 Bomber
- Report: pilot error caused B-1B crash
- 'Bone' makes evolving mark on war on terrorism
- B-1 Lancers join 379th fleet
- Radar upgrade key to future B-1 combat capability
- Air Force B-1B damaged
- B-2s Return To Guam, Replace B-1 Squadron
- Defense Officials Outline Long-Range, Global Strike Plans
- Boeing Awarded Contract to Upgrade B-1 Bomber Radar
- AirForceMag: Long-Range Strike in a Hurry
- The B-1B Lancer bomber will attempt to set at least 48 world speed records
Specifications
| Version | B-1B Lancer |
| Length | 146ft 44.5m |
| Height | 34ft 10.4m |
| Wingspan | 137ft 41.8m extended forward 79ft 24.1m swept aft |
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This page was last updated on: 2006-03-26
