Operating for over three decades, the Lancer and the Spirit are stalwart workhorses in the strategic bomber fleet of the United States Air Force, incorporating unparalleled capability into long-range precision and stealth operations.
The B-1B Lancer, affectionately known as “The Bone” from its phonetic designation B-ONE, has remained the linchpin in America’s long-range bomber force. It is the Department of the Air Force’s largest conventional payload to date, capable of carrying both guided and unguided weapons, and can deliver massive quantities of ordnance anywhere in the world at any time.
The origins of the B-1B began long before the B-52 Stratofortress had ever taken to the air. Early research from the 1950s produced the B-58 Hustler and XB-70 Valkyrie. Although the XB-70 program would be canceled, it gave a starting point for future development. In the 1970s, the Air Force was looking at low-flying bombers capable of piercing an enemy’s defenses; thus, Rockwell International began developing the B-1A. Canceled in 1977, the program picked up in the 1980s under President Reagan, and the B-1B took form.
The first production B-1B flew in October 1984, with deliveries beginning in June 1985. It reached initial operational capability on October 1, 1986, with the last B-1B delivered on May 2, 1988. The B-1B is the holder of close to 50 world records for speed, payload, range, and time of climb within its class.
In 1998, the combat debut of the B-1B came during Operation Desert Fox, as it hit targets in Iraq. As one example, during the 1999 Operation Allied Force in Yugoslavia, while flying under 2% of the combat sorties, it dropped over 20% of the total ordnance. That statistic equates to over 40% of the total tonnage this aircraft delivered during Operation Enduring Freedom. During Operation Iraqi Freedom—under 1% of the combat missions but delivered 43% of the JDAMs used. It continues to stay in service as a national asset, flying missions every day for ongoing operations.
The B-2 Spirit is one of the most flexible airframes in the Air Force inventory, with a unique blend of stealth, long-range capability, and payload capacity. It can deliver critical strikes against sophisticated defenses and those that are heavily defended.
Development of the B-2 concentrated on bringing together low-observable technologies with large aerodynamic efficiency and payload capacity. In short, its stealth characteristics are defined by a reduced infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual, and radar signature, making it extraordinarily difficult for enemy defenses to detect and engage. The B-2 can fly approximately 6,000 nautical miles unrefueled, with an extended range of 10,000 nautical miles with aerial refueling.
The B-2 was publicly displayed for the first time on Nov. 22, 1988, and first flew on July 17, 1989. Whiteman AFB, MO is the only operational base for the B-2, and it is the first of the aircraft delivered on Dec. 17, 1993. The B-2 was put into combat successfully during Operation Allied Force, destroying 33 percent of the Serbian targets in the first eight weeks. It, too, played a major role in support of the operations in Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, with long-haul missions in which a tremendous amount of ordnance was delivered.
In 2017, two B-2s participated in a 34-hour mission designed to strike at a training camp run by ISIS in Libya, a true testament to the global reach and precision strike capabilities of this aircraft. Continues today as the B-2 readily participates in the Continuous Bomber Presence mission to the region as an element of American support.
The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, continues to press for even greater outcomes for 2016 and beyond. Supporting operations like Inherent Resolve and Freedom’s Sentinel, the Wing’s KC-135 Stratotankers off-loaded more than 700 million pounds of fuel, supporting upwards of 20,000 sorties. During the last year, B-1 assigned to the wing dropped more weapons on enemy targets than during the combined total of the previous seven years.
Brig. Gen. Darren James lauded the professionalism and commitment of airmen: “We accomplish the mission and set records on the backs of the airmen of this wing.” Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Good spoke of the inspiration gained from service members’ sacrifices and commitment.
“Looking to 2016, James said the 379 AEW likely will break more records and overcome more challenges, especially the uncertainties of future operations. Taking care of service members by providing them with the right tools and the right support was foremost, followed by the mission, wingmen, and partners.”.
The B-1B Lancer, B-2 Spirit, and every member of the 379th AEW are proud embodiments of the might and vigor that is the U.S. Air Force, with a continuous dedication to keeping the force at the edge of the envelope in a dynamic strategic setting.