The U.S. Air Force (USAF) will move to decommission 17 of its 62 B-1B Lancer bombers to pave the way for fleet modernization efforts and help maintainers focus more on each of the remaining 45 aircraft. USAF said it will keep four of the B-1B planes that are set for retirement in Type 2000 storage to maintain aircraft systems in a reclaimable condition.
Read More »Air Force Concludes Flight Demos for B-1B Bomber’s External Missile Release Function
The U.S. Air Force has demonstrated the B-1B Lancer supersonic aircraft’s release capacity for external weapons as part of an assessment that culminates a series of expanded weapons carriage tests that began last year. As part of the demonstration, the team equipped the heavy bomber with high-speed cameras to evaluate its release of the Lockheed Martin-manufactured JASSM weapon.
Read More »Air Force, Wichita State University to Develop Digital Twin for B-1 Aircraft Maintenance; Joseph Lay Quoted
Air Force Life Cycle Management Center has partnered with Wichita State University to create a virtual twin or a digital representation of the B-1B Lancer aircraft for maintenance purposes. The U.S. Air Force said Tuesday it would use the digital twin to forecast maintenance issues that may occur in B-1B units.
Read More »USAF Fully Installs B-1B Integrated Battle Station Ahead of Schedule; Rodney Shepard Quoted
The U.S. Air Force has completed the installation of the B-1B Lancer aircraft fleet's new Integrated Battle Station (IBS), earlier than expected. The bomber aircraft underwent modifications for a fully integrated data link, a vertical situational display unit and a central integrated test system of the new battle station.
Read More »Air Force Concludes B-1B Aircraft Expanded Carriage Demo
The U.S. Air Force's 412th Test Wing conducted an expanded carriage test for the B-1B Lancer aircraft to demonstrate the bomber's weapons integration feature. The aircraft held a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile through the use of a pylon during the flight test, Robins Air Force Base said Friday.
Read More »Air Force Tests Conditions-Based Maintenance Approach on Aging Aircraft
The U.S. Air Force has started employing data analytics to predict problems in aircraft as part of a broader effort to implement a new maintenance approach for the service’s aviation fleet, Defense News reported Wednesday.
Read More »US, South Korea, Japan Perform Sequenced Bilateral Mission
The U.S. Air Force has conducted a sequenced bilateral mission alongside its counterparts from South Korea and Japan in response to North Korea’s recent ballistic missile and nuclear activities. The service branch said Monday two of the Pacific Air Forces’ B-1B Lancer bombers joined F-2 and F-15 fighter jets of Japanese …
Read More »Air Force Bombers Conduct Sequenced Bilateral Mission with Japanese, South Korean Fighter Jets
A pair of B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft from the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam have completed a 10-hour sequenced bilateral mission with fighter jets from Japan and South Korea, DoD News reported Saturday. U.S. Air Force officials said the exercise was conducted in response to recent North Korean actions that included …
Read More »Lt. Gen. Jerry Harris: Air Force Eyes 165-Bomber Fleet
Lt. Gen. Jerry Harris, deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and requirements at the U.S. Air Force, has told lawmakers that the service branch wants to have 165 aircraft in its future bomber fleet, DoD Buzz reported Monday. Members of the House Armed Services Committee’s Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee asked Harris …
Read More »Air Force B-1B Bombers Train With Japanese, South Korean Fighter Aircraft
The U.S. Air Force has deployed two bomber aircraft to engage in a fighter interception training with Japan’s air self-defense force as well as a low-level flight with South Korea in the aftermath of North Korea’s latest nuclear test. The U.S. Pacific Command said Monday two B-1B Lancer strategic bombers from Andersen Air …
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