Designed during the Cold War, its original purpose was that of a strategic bomber to penetrate Soviet airspace to deliver nuclear weapons. The B-1 is now employed as a low-level high-subsonic bomber. Four prototypes of the B-1A were designed, with the first taking to the air on December 23, 1974. It featured a long, slim fuselage with variable-geometry wings with a maximum sweep of 67.5 degrees.
On October 18, 1984 the first of 100 production B-1Bs took to the air, and entered service with the USAF Strategic Air Command in July 1985. Changes from the original B-1A model included redesigned wing gloves, modified engine inlets, strengthened landing gear, and the use of composite materials in aircraft construction to reduce weight. Much of the B-1B airframe is covered with radar absorbing material, reducing the bomber's radar signature to less than 1/100th of a B-52.
Prime Contractor: Rockwell International
Nation of Origin: USA
Function: Low-level bomber
Crew: 4
Year: 1974
In-service year: 1985
Engines: Four General Electric F101-GE-102 afterburning turbofans, 30,780 lb thrust each
Dimensions
Wingspan: @ 15 degrees: 41.67 m / 136 ft 9 in; @ 67.5 degrees: 23.84 m / 78 ft 3 in
Length: 44.81 m / 147 ft
Height: 10.36 m / 34 ft 10 in
Weight: 192,000 lb empty / 477,000 lb max. take off
Ceiling: 47,900 ft
Speed: @ high altitude: 1,324 km/h / 823 mph; @ low level (200 ft): 965 km/h / 600 mph
Range: More than 12,000 km / 7,455 miles
Armament: Internal bays for up to 75,000 lb of ordnance including conventional bombs, nuclear bombs, AGM-86 cruise missiles, or SRAMs
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