<p>The B-1B Lancer was developed as the principal manned bomber for the United States' strategic triad. In the 1980s, the B-1B enjoyed high priority even though USAF plans focused not only on the B-1B but also on the B-2A 'Stealth Bomber', then a 'black' program.
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<p>The B-1B has been controversial. Its AN/ALQ-161 defensive electronics system has required frequent modifications. The USAF grounded the B-1B on 15 December 1990 following two catastrophic engine failures within a three-month period. In all, the B-1B has been grounded half a dozen times, including a period during the Gulf War of 1991 which prevented it from playing any part in that conflict.
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<p>The B-1B can lay claim to being the first stealthy bomber, ahead of the B-2A, since its fuselage blends into the variable-geometry wing to create a low-drag configuration. Heart of the B-1B's structure is its massive titanium wing carry-through box which lies across the center of the fuselage. At each end is a hinge fitting for the swing-wing. The wing is kept at its least degree of sweep, 15°, for handling on the ground and during take-off. Flaps can be activated only when the wing is swept less than 20°. The maximum sweep is 67° 30' when the B-1B is in high-speed flight at high altitude.
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<p>The bomber's wing carry-through structure supports the main undercarriage. Fore and aft of this structure are intermediate fuselage sections, to which are affixed the rear fuselage and empennage and the nose section/crew compartment.
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<p>The B-1B has been reported to have a radar cross section (RCS) only one-fourth that of a B-52. Much use is made of radar-absorbent materials throughout the bomber's key components. Unlike the B-52, the B-1B was designed to go into combat at low altitude.
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<p>The four men aboard a B-1B sit in Douglas-designed, Weber-built ACES II (Advanced Concept Ejection Seats) which have zero-speed, zero-altitude capability. Parachute and individual oxygen supply are stowed aboard the seat itself.
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<p>The B-1B is powered by four 30,000-lb (136.92-kN) thrust General Electric F101-GE-102 turbofan engines. Its variable-geometry, or 'swing', wing helps the B-1B get aloft from an alert pad faster than the B-52.
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<p>Pilot and co-pilot of the B-1B are side-by-side and have an instrument panel which includes a mixture of digital and analog instruments and several cathode ray tubes. Both fly-by-wire and mechanical flight control systems are used, the former connected to the pilot's station and the latter to the co-pilot's. A reversionary link ties the two together if one fails. The B-1B is flown much like a fighter, using stick and rudder pedals, though it has no HUD (head-up display) and needs none for its low-level, terrain-following bomb mission.
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<p>The third and fourth crewmen, OSO and DSO (offensive and defensive systems operators), also sit side-by-side behind the pilots and face forwards, although they do not have much of a view outside the aircraft. The former is a navigator: his job is to get the aircraft to the target and to release the ordnance at the right time. The latter operates the AN/ALQ-161 system. This system is largely automatic, detecting hostile emissions through receivers placed strategically around the aircraft and analyzing and prioritizing them before instructing jammers to obliterate or confuse them. The DSO monitors the system on two graphic displays, showing threats with alpha-numeric labels. Another display gives tabulated information on threats.
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<p>On the ground, the B-1B is boarded by climbing a retractable ladder up through a hatch, reaching a cabin with far more room for its crew than the interior of the B-52. The B-1B provides a chemical toilet and a miniature galley with microwave oven. There is a full-sized jump seat, as compared with the B-52's half-sized jump seat, for an IP (instructor pilot).
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<p>While making a low-level penetration in enemy territory, the B-1B crew flies 'zipped up', shielded from thermonuclear flash blindness by thermal blast curtains into which are placed six portholes equipped with PLZT (polarized lead zirconium titanate), reducing external light to 0.003 of its original intensity when exposed to a sudden burst of light.
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<p>The Reagan administration announced in September 1981 its intention to put 100 B-1Bs into SAC inventory. On 4 September 1984, the first B-1B (82-0001) was rolled out at Rockwell's Palmdale, California, plant. The manufacturer later made something of the fact that the B-1B was well ahead of the similar Soviet Tu-160 ('Blackjack'). 82-0001, nicknamed 'Leader of the Fleet', made its first flight on 18 October 1984. This first ship was also one of two B-1Bs (with 83-0065) to wear the nickname 'Star of Abilene' (a Texas city near Dyess).
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<p>The first B-1B was delivered at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, on 27 July 1985. The first 29 B-1Bs were assigned to the 96th Bomb Wing at Dyess AFB, Texas. This excluded the ninth B-1B which went to Edwards AFB, California, for test work, where two B-1Bs are operated by Air Force Matériel Command. IOC (initial operating capability) was attained in July 1986.
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<p>With the B-2A Spirit having fallen foul of cost-cutting initiatives that have drastically curtailed procurement, the B-1B's future is much more assured, despite the many problems that have been encountered since it entered service. Although it was conceived specifically for the strategic penetration mission—and although it is still capable of undertaking that task—greater emphasis will henceforth be placed upon conventional warfare operations.
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<p>A realignment in force distribution is also currently under way. This has resulted in the Air Combat Command bomber outfits at McConnell AFB, Kansas and Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota disposing of their aircraft and standing down, leaving the first-line echelons at Dyess AFB, Texas and Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. As part of the process of change, the B-1B has taken over from the B-52G as the 'heavy metal' element of the 366th Wing. This was the first of the so-called 'intervention' outfits to be organised and its bomber component presently operates from Ellsworth on a detached basis.
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<p>Furthermore, at least two second-line Air National Guard units have been selected to acquire the Lancer, with transfer of the first examples to the Kansas ANG occurring during 1994. In time, a unit of the Georgia ANG will follow suit. These force realignments are being accompanied by a shift towards conventional taskings following trials with a suitably modified aircraft. New missions are therefore expected to include maritime surveillance and attack, using air-delivered mines and/or AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship attack missiles. In addition, the B-1B is also capable of carrying up to 84 Mk.82 500-lb (227-kg) conventional bombs or an equivalent payload of heavier weapons, while it is being integrated with GPS-guided bombs to give a measure of precision capability. In the fullness of time, the Lancer will be equipped with weapons such as JDAM and JSOW.
