The Rockwell B-1 Lancer has a variable sweep wing blended into the fuselage with a swept cruciform tail.
The wings can sweep from 15 degrees to 67.5 degrees with the full forward position used for take-offs, landings and cruising.
Whilst at high speed or supersonic flight the wings are swept fully back.
To counteract turbulence the B-1 has triangular vanes near the nose which rotate automatically.
The B-1B has air ducts that are serpentine in shape and has fixed intake ramps to limit its speed relative to the B-1A, to avoid damage to its structure and also reduce its radar signature.
The B-1 is controlled by computers the main one being the IBM AP-101 which was also used in the B-52 bomber.
The B-1’s avionics, amongst others, consists of forward looking passive electronically scanned array radar, ground moving target identification, terrain following radar, radar warning and jamming equipment.
Should a radar warning be detected the B-1 has a total of eight flare dispensers each containing 12 flares which can be deployed as an infrared countermeasure. The B-1 has also been equipped to carry a towed decoy system.
PRODUCTION
The Rockwell B1 Lancer was produced from 1973 to 1988, with 104 built.
ENGINES
4 x General Electric F101-GE-102s, producing 123,120 lb st.*
*With after burner.
Press play to hear the B-1
ARMAMENT
75,000 lb (34,020 kg) Bomb Bay load
50,000 lb (23,000 kg) external load.
In June 1985, the first B1-B was delivered to Strategic Air Command (SAC), becoming operational 1 October 1986 and placed on nuclear alert status.
Officially the B-1 was known as the ‘Lancer’ but it was commonly known as the ‘Bone’ which comes from its name when spelled B-one.
The B-1’s were mainly used as an airborne nuclear deterrent against the Soviet Union with the B-52 being suitable for more conventional warfare.
