Today, the B-1B forms the backbone of the American Bomber Fleet although the B-52, which it was supposed to replace, is still in successful service in large numbers today. In 1970 the Pentagon awarded a contract for the construction of seven B-1A prototypes to Rockwell and on the 23 December 1974 the maiden flight of the new variable geometry (Swing-wing) strategic bomber took place. Boeing AGM-86B Cruise Missiles were to be the main weapon of the B-1B, a concept already used successfully during the Second World War by the German Luftwaffe with the Hs 293 on the Fw200 and the Heinkel 177. (Also available as a REVELL Model). Rising costs and technical problems bought the B-1B program to the attention of the American public. In 1977 this caused President Carter to cancel the complete program. Only test flights with currently available aircraft were continued. Throughout the following years Rockwell continued development of the B-1 and eventually in 1981 the new President Reagan gave permission for production to recommence. The main difference between the B-1B and her predecessor was the essentially simpler air intakes – which reduced the maximum speed of 2500 km/h (1500 mph) down to only 1324 km/h (822 mph). The first B-1B was delivered to the Strategic Air Command of the American Air Force on the 27 July 1985. Up to April 1988 a total of 100 aircraft were built. Due to its extreme range with a full weapon load the B-1B plays an increasingly important role in American Military conflicts. Apart from “Operation Desert Shield” the B-1B also saw service in the last war against Iraq and in Afghanistan. This said the B-1B is still a continual construction site for all involved. Apart from the on-board radar, weapons computers and numerous other complex electronics it is also the many new technical developments that lead to continuous modification programs. In the past, one of these problems was the sealing of the fuel tanks. Not only all the seams, altogether eight kilometres in length, but also 292500 rivets in the fuel tanks had to be individually re-sealed – which soon led to even more leaks and associated problems. Today, a complete re-sealing of all components and the use of better materials has solved most of these problems. Over the years the B-1B has developed into a record collector. It has accounted for thirty-eight world records amongst which is a circumnavigation of the earth on the 2nd/3rd June 1995, whereby two aircraft flew non-stop around the globe covering a total of 36797,65km (22851.3 miles) in 36hours 13minutes and 36seconds. Their average speed was 1015,75km/h (630.78mph).
Drie uitvoeringen mogelijk;
- "Iron Mistress" 45th Bomber squadron, 319th Bomber Wing, Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Summer 1990.
- 28th Operations group, 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, september 1996.
- "Eternal Guardian" 9th Bomb squadron, 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, August 1996.
Aantal onderdelen; 127.
Afmeting
- Lang; 616 mm.
- Spanwijdte; 545 mm.
