What is a B1a bomber?

What is a B1a bomber?

B-1, U.S. variable-wing strategic bomber that entered service in 1986 as a successor to the B-52 Stratofortress. The B-1 was designed to penetrate radar-guided air defenses by flying at low levels. It was built in two versions by Rockwell International. The B-1A, first flown in 1974, was designed to reach twice the speed…

What happened to the B-1 Lancer bomber?

Historical Snapshot. The B-1 Lancer is a swing-wing bomber intended for high-speed, low-altitude penetration missions. Its first flight was in December 1974, but by June 1977 the program was canceled. Four Rockwell International B-1As were built and used for flight testing with the final flight made in April 1981.

Who flies the B-1B Lancer?

Meet Lt. Col. Tim Schepper, who has flown B-1B Lancers for 22 years, spending more than 208 days in B-1 cockpits. Since the U.S. Air Force received its first B-1B in 1984, the bomber has served the country as both a conventional and nuclear strike option.

What limits the speed of the B-1B bomber?

The speed of the current version of the aircraft is limited by the need to avoid damage to its structure and air intakes. To help lower its RCS, the B-1B uses serpentine air intake ducts (see S-duct) and fixed intake ramps, which limit its speed compared to the B-1A.