The Salthill Air Show - Rockwell B-1B Lancer

Rockwell B-1B Lancer

[ United Stated Air Force ]

The USAF B-1B Lancer opening this years airshow belongs to the 37th Bomb Squadron "The Tigers", 28th Bomb Wing, Air Combat Command, based at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. Pictured below are the unit badges.


28th Bomb Wing Badge	USAF Logo as applied to all aircraft	37th Bomb Squadron Badge

A 37th BS B-1B is pictured below, it's tail carrying the code "EL", signifying that it is based at Ellsworth Air Force Base, and it also has a tiger patterned stripe painted across the top of the tail.

The B-1B is one of the largest warplanes in the world, it can fly at top speed of Mach 1.2 (1.2 times the speed of sound, approximately 900mph), and it is popularly known by it's crew as the "Bone" (B-One).

The B-1B's blended wing/body configuration, along with variable-geometry (swing wing) design and turbofan engines, combine to provide greater range and high speed with enhanced survivability. Forward wing settings are used for takeoff, landings and high-altitude maximum cruise. Aft (swept) wing settings are used in high subsonic and supersonic flight, enhancing the B-1B's maneuverability.

While technically not a "stealth" bomber, a low-radar cross-section is provided by the combination of aircraft structure and radar-absorption materials that reduce the aircraft's radar signature to approximately 1 percent that of the B-52!

B-1B Picture Gallery

Ellsworth based B-1	Ellsworth based B-1	Ellsworth based B-1

Specifications

Primary Function:	Long-range, multi-role, heavy bomber
Builder:	Boeing, North America (formerly Rockwell International, North American Aircraft)
Powerplant:	Four General Electric F-101-GE-102 turbofan engine with afterburner
Thrust:	30,000-plus pounds with afterburner, per engine
Crew:	Four (aircraft commander, copilot, offensive systems officer and defensive systems officer)
Span:	137 feet (41.8 meters) extended forward, 79 feet (24.1 meters) swept aft
Length:	146 feet (44.5 meters)
Height:	34 feet (10.4 meters)
Empty Weight:	approximately 190,000 pounds (86,183 kilograms)
Max Takeoff Weight:	477,000 pounds (216,634 kilograms)
Max Speed:	900-plus mph (Mach 1.2 at sea level)
Ceiling:	More than 30,000 feet (9,144 meters)
Armament:	Three internal weapons bays can accommodate up to 84 Mk-82 general purpose bombs or Mk-62 naval mines, 30 CBU-87/89 cluster munitions or CBU-97 Sensor Fused Weapons and up to 24 GBU-31 JDAM GPS guided bombs or Mk-84 general purpose bombs
Unit Cost:	$283.1 million

Extra Information

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