BoneNicknamed “The Bone,” the B-1B Lancer is a long-range, multi-mission, supersonic conventional bomber, which has served the United States Air Force since 1985. The aircraft is on track to continue flying, at current demanding operations tempo, out to 2040 and beyond, and Boeing partners with the Air Force to keep the B-1 mission ready. Originally designed for nuclear capabilities, the B-1 switched to an exclusively conventional combat role in the mid-1990s. In 1999, during Operation Allied Force, six B-1s flew 2 percent of the strike missions, yet dropped 20 percent of the ordnance, and during Operation Enduring Freedom the B-1 flew on 2 percent of the sorties while dropping over 40 percent of the precision weapons.
Lancer Technical SpecificationsFunction Long-range, multi-role, heavy bomberPower plant Four General Electric F101-GE-102 turbofan engine with afterburnerThrust 30,000-plus pounds with afterburner, per engineWingspan 137 ft (41.8 m) extended forward, 79 ft (24.1 m) swept aftLength 146 ft (44.5 meters)Height 34 ft (10.4 meters)Weight Approximately 190,000 lbs (86,183 kg)