Reply With QuoteGood to hear as I love these aircraft. Stealthy, quick and pack a hell of punch. Plus they look so damn cool.
Any word from anywhere on the B-1R? Is that an actual thing on an actual drawing board somewhere or just History Channel chaff?
New upgrades revitalize B-1B Lancers
Posted 6/2/2012
by Airman 1st Class Charles V. Rivezzo
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
6/2/2012 - DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- B-1B Lancers are currently undergoing the most advanced hardware and software upgrades to date as part of the Sustainment-Block 16 program.
Sustainment-Block 16 upgrades include a fully integrated data link in the aft station and vertical situation display upgrade in the front station as well as updates to navigation, radar and diagnostic systems.
"The B-1 has never seen this many upgrades in one block," said Maj. Thomas Bryant, the 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron assistant director of operations. "These upgrades will give us an entirely new aircraft; this is a game changer."
The aft crew station will now receive five new color displays, all capable of providing moving maps and data link integration. Weapon systems officers will receive full "QWERTY" keyboards and new controllers to interface with the integrated battle station software.
Furthermore, a new MIDS LVT-1 radio, using integrated battle station capabilities, brings the B-1 into the Link-16 network, allowing the B-1 to send and receive text messages, imagery and mission assignments.
Unlike current messaging capabilities, fully integrated data link assignments will interface directly with the aircraft, allowing combat commanders the capability to send target sets directly to weapons onboard the B-1.
"The new data link capability is huge for the B-1," Bryant said. "Command and control assets will have the ability to send us targets electronically, automatically linking into our system rather than manually entering the coordinates."
While the fully integrated data link upgrades primarily support the weapon systems officers in the aft station, Sustainment-Block 16 also includes vertical situation display upgrades for the front station.
Pilots receive a new digital flight instrument display, providing more precise flight parameters. The pilot and co-pilot stations each receive a new 8-inch by 10-inch multi-function display and the same cursor control that is installed in the aft station.
These new situational displays provide independent moving maps and link information to the front station, supplying them identical information available to the aft station.
Fully integrated data link and vertical situation display upgrades have now completed developmental testing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and soon three 337th TES aircraft will be modified with the new upgrades.
Developmental testing for the entire Sustainment-Block 16 package is scheduled to begin March 2013. Under the current program schedule, the 337th TES will begin operational testing September 2013.
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123304510
B-1B Lancers from the 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron soar over the Gulf of Mexico during a test mission near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 23, 2012. The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron is a geographically separated unit of the 53rd Wing, headquartered at Eglin AFB. The 337th TES is responsible for operational testing of all B-1 defensive/offensive systems and weapons upgrades.
(Courtesy photo/Jake Melampy)
Good to hear as I love these aircraft. Stealthy, quick and pack a hell of punch. Plus they look so damn cool.
Any word from anywhere on the B-1R? Is that an actual thing on an actual drawing board somewhere or just History Channel chaff?
Did or does a B-1A exist ?
My thoughts as well!Originally Posted by GigantorX
As far as I know, it's still just a proposal.Any word from anywhere on the B-1R? Is that an actual thing on an actual drawing board somewhere or just History Channel chaff?
Interesting discussion on that here: http://www.airliners.net/aviation-fo...ad.main/45687/
and here: http://web.archive.org/web/200712120...2/story01.html
I believe just 4 were built.
If anybody ever wants my opinion on what the Air Force's next gen bomber should be, I would tell them to look at the B-1A, B-1B, or the as yet unbuilt B-1R.The B-1A was the original B-1 design with variable engine intakes and Mach 2.2 top speed.
Four prototypes were built; no production units were manufactured.
From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockwel...ancer#Variants
Thanks. What are the roles of B-1B, B-2 or even B-52 ? Just to understand if they share the same ops or not. Or the interest to keep older bombers instead of making new ones.
You're quite welcome, sir.
Of course, I'm not an authority, but I am more than willing to share my thoughts on the matterWhat are the roles of B-1B, B-2 or even B-52 ? Just to understand if they share the same ops or not.
All of the bombers you mentioned were conceived as strategic heavy bombers during the Cold War and were intended to carry nuclear weapons.
Now all carry conventional weapons.
The B-1 and B-52 have been fitted with new gear (like targeting pods) and are now being used for tactical missions. This really boggles my mind.
Both continue to receive upgrades.
B-1 is faster (and with the right engines potentially much, much faster) and I think the B-52 has a slightly greater range.
B-2 is still around and is the stealthy aircraft we use when we need when heading into an environment that has sophisticated air defenses.
But given that new standoff weapons like the JASSM, and the JSOW are being developed, the the B-1 and B-52 should be able to be used in the same way as they shouldn't have to get close to enemy air defense.
My answer: we keep finding ways to adapt these old bombers to new missions and new threat environments.Or the interest to keep older bombers instead of making new ones.
And, in my view, since the USAF has problems doing things like specifying a tanker airplane, or even simple fixed wing aircraft for the Afghan Air Force, they should be really cautious and thoughtful about pursuing a new (and expensive) bomber program.
I really don't have a high level of confidence in the USAF's ability to manage aircraft programs right at this moment.
Last edited by Lt-Col A. Tack; 06-02-2012 at 07:13 PM.
Originally there were suppose to be 244 B-1As purchased. The four development aircraft were built at the time Carter cancelled the program (and blew the cover on the stealth bomber for political gain). The B-1A was a Mach 2.2 aircraft designed exclusively for the nuclear role. It would have carried bombs, SRAM, and ALCM missiles. ASALM was also considered before it too was cancelled. Reagan decided we needed to build 100 B-1s to get us by until the B-2 was ready. By then (late 70s / early 80s) the advantages of stealth, and what could be achieved, were clear. The USAF did the trades and determined that reducing the RCS of the B-1 would make it more survivable even at the expense of Mach 2+ speed. Variable geometry intakes were traded for stealthy, serpentine intakes. The wing seals were greatly simplified, and RAM/RAS was used in many areas. The original radar was replaced with a phased array that would also reduce the RCS. External pylons were added and the gross weight was increased from 390,000lbs to 477,000lbs. The B-1B was designed to carry up to 14 AGM-129 stealth cruise missiles externally, in addition to the internal load. As an interesting piece of trivia, the AGM-129 was designed specifically to be able to be carried externally at supersonic speed. SRAM 2 was also planned for the B-1B with a total of 36 being carried internally (as opposed to the 24 of the larger SRAM). The Cold War ended and we traded away nuclear capability on the B-1Bs for one treaty or another. The external hard points have been disabled to comply with the treaty. Originally the two forward bays were suppose to be able to be combined if need be (that was the only way the AGM-86B cruise missiles could be carried and the shorter AGM-86A, the missile for which the bays were sized for, never went into production). I don't know if that is still possible off the top of my head.
Remember to throw in the new go sticks to make it a B1-R and there are going to be an awful lot of people it will make very unhappy...
Last edited by Sierrakitten; 06-03-2012 at 02:39 AM. Reason: typo...:-(
Is the B1-R a reality or just a concept and will never happen?
I remember seeing some early concept images and specs about it a few years ago and then nothing...
I actually don't understand, how are external points have anything to do with nuclear ability? the bomber could still carry nuclear weapon internally right?
Why couldn't they just convert it for conventional weapons?
Unfortunately, a concept that will never happen.
That was part of the deal. SOC would know the details but I haven't seen him around here in some time.
That is a damned shame.
Still, the B1-B is a beauty. Long may she fly!
This at least means they will be around for some time...
This is more than than capable to our needs, and as we wont be having a new bomber anytime soon, upgraded and new-build B-1s could fly a long time. I wouldnt be surprised if they are still going around 2040.
Long may she fly!
Posting Permissions
