B-1 Lancer
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On October 2, 1981, President Reagan announced that the Air Force would acquire 100 B-1Bs as part of their Strategic Modernization Program.
The development contract was awarded to Rockwell International on January 20, 1982.
Two of the B-1As were converted to B-1B prototypes and the first production B-1B flew on October 18, 1984.
The total acquisition cost for the B-1B was set at $20.5 billion for 100 aircraft, spares and support equipment.
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.
Specifications
| Type: | Long-range, multi-role, heavy bomber |
Manufacturer: | Rockwell International, North American Aircraft |
Country: | USA |
Powerplant: | GE F-101-GE-102 turbofan engine with afterburner (4x) | Engine Thrust: | 30,000+ lbs || 13,500+ kg (with afterburner, per engine) | Length: | 146 ft || 44.5 m | Height: | 34 ft || 10.4 m | Wingspan: | 137 ft || 41.8 m extended forward 79 ft || 24.1 m swept aft |
Weight: | 190,000 lbs || 86,183 kg (empty) | Max Speed: | 900+ mph || Mach 1.2 (at sea level) | Range: | Intercontinental (unrefueled) | Ceiling: | 30,000+ ft || 9+ km |
Crew: | 4; (aircraft commander, pilot, offensive systems officer and defensive systems officer) |
costs: | $200+ million |
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