Friday, May 25, 2012

Learn to Love the B-1 Lancer

The B-1B Lancer is the Air Force's workhorse bomber. But few people know about the aircraft, which can reach supersonic speeds and carries three times the payload of a B-52.



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U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Corey Hook



A B-1B Lancer at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Daktoa. Last year airmen at Ellsworth launched for strikes against Libya within 40 hours after being told of the mission.



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U.S. Air Force/Tech. Sgt. Nathan Gallahan


A Lancer at the 2011 Dakota Thunder air show at Ellsworth. The aircraft was designed during the Cold War to drop nukes but has found new life as a precision bomber and close air-support aircraft. For the next phase of its career, the Lancer will operate in the more dangerous airspace over the Pacific.
 



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U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Marc I. Lane


A B-1B takes off from Ellsworth on March 27, 2011, on a mission in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn. Two bombers left Ellsworth, struck targets, landed at an airbase near Libya, rearmed and refueled, struck more targets, and flew home.

 



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U.S. Air Force/Airman 1st Class Shannon Hall


An assortment of 500-pound and 2000-pound Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) on a B-1's multiple ejector rack. With the mix of weaponry, the Lancer can respond to emergency calls for support from troops below.

 

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U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Kasey Close



This targeting pod can ID individual people or vehicles, track them, and direct weapons from an extended range. It allows the Lancer to escort ground troops and drop weapons on precise locations. The infrared video feed also can be beamed to troops on the ground.

 



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Jake Melampy




A Lancer from the 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron refuels with a KC-135 Stratotanker during a mission over the Gulf of Mexico.

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