Rockwell B-1B Lancer

The Rockwell B-1A was originally developed as a supersonic bomber that combined the payload of the B-52 Stratofortress with the speed of the B-58 Hustler. The program was cancelled in 1977 and restarted again in 1981 with a revised design with a lower top speed and more fuel/weapons. The B-1B has seen combat since its first use during the 1990 Gulf War and regularly deploys to RAF Fairford. It remains in demand to this day as a potent strike weapon able to loiter over a battle space heavily laden with precision weaponry. The B-1B will eventually be replaced by the B-21 Raider stealth bomber.

The B-1B remains one of the backbones of the USAF bomber fleet and has recently received new capabilities including the renewed use of its external pylons for long-range missiles or targeting pods. The operational squadrons are now split between Dyess AFB in Texas and Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota, test examples can also be found at Edwards AFB and Nellis AFB.

Returning to the Air Tattoo for the first time since 2018, Dyess AFB will be providing a B-1B for static display at RIAT25.

Photo Credit: Aviation Photocrew