Brief :The B-1B is a conventional, long-range, supersonic penetrating strike aircraft, derived from the canceled B-1A. The B-1A first flew on Dec 23, 1974, and four prototypes were developed and tested before the program was canceled in 1977. The Reagan administration revived the program as the B-1B in 1981, adding 74,000 Ib of useable payload, improved radar, and reduced radar cross section, although speed was reduced to Mach 1.2. Its three internal weapons bays can each carry different weapons, and the aircraft's blended wing/body and variable-geometry wing permit long-range/loiter time. Offensive avionics include terrain following SAR and Sniper ATP to track and target moving vehicles. B-1B made its combat debut over Iraq during Desert Fox in 1998. Integrated Battle Station (IBS) mods are the most comprehensive refresh in the bomber's history. The three-part program includes Vertical Situation Display (VSD), adding a digital glass cockpit, Fully Integrated Data Link (FIDL) enhancing targeting/LOS/BLOS C2, and Central Integrated Test System (CITS) for real-time simplified troubleshooting. Sustainment Block 16/IBS is slated for fleetwide completion in 2020. FY20 accelerates ADS-B/Mode 5 IFF to meet 2020 FAA airspace compliance mandates. Development includes Fully Integrated Targeting Pod (FITP) to replace the current laptop-controlled system, Multifunctional Information Distribution System/Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS/JTRS) to improve situational awareness and retargeting abilities, updated BLOS cryptography to sustain connectivity, and bomb rack safety improvements. AFGSC recently reconfigured a B-1 with six external hardpoints and an extended weapons bay to demonstrate its ability to carry large hypersonic or multiple 5,000 Ib-class freefall weapons. B-1Bs were briefly grounded for egress safety inspections in 2019, and USAF is looking to return B-1 to a strike instead of CAS role due to structural strain. The fleet is slated for phased replacement by the B-21 around 2032, and FY21 plans would cut 17of the least serviceableairframes.
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