As part of a recent strategic improvement, the US Air Force retired 17 of its B-1B Lancers, representing a notable improvement in its long-range strike power. As part of a broad strategy to phase out the entire B-1B fleet, the move provides space for eagerly awaited B-21 Raider. The heavy utilization and expensive maintenance needs of the older B-1Bs have triggered the move, contributing to the USAF’s modernization with improved, less-expensive options.
The 17 bombers retirement was finalized in September 2021, when the final plane took a trip from Edwards Air Force Base in California to the aircraft boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. Director of logistics and engineering for AFGSC Brig. Gen. Kenyon Bell indicated that “With fewer aircraft in the B-1 fleet, maintainers will be able to give more time and attention to each aircraft remaining in the fleet.”
The B-1B Lancer, inducted into service in 1985, has been a workhorse of the USAF, especially in missions conducted in the U.S. Central Command. These operations would involve duties such as close air support, which the B-1B was not initially designed to perform. The B-1B’s use on such missions has a price, removing much combat capability from the fleet and requiring expensive stand-downs to correct everything from fires aboard to faulty ejection seats. Its great performance on combat missions notwithstanding, the B-1B has not had a good run in recent years.
A crash of a 28th Bomb Wing’s B-1B based at Ellsworth Air Force Base when there was poor visibility and subfreezing weather conditions came to an end as a runway crash, without loss of life due to the ejection of all four crew members. After the 4th of January crash, the base relocated some of its surviving bombers to Dyess Air Force Base in Texas to resume training and be ready while the investigation is ongoing. This second round of retirements will reduce the fleet of B-1Bs from approximately 100 to 45 operational planes, at Ellsworth and Dyess. The Air Force said the divestment of the Lancer fleet would enable a more targeted maintenance strategy and open the door for the dual-capable and stealth B-21 Raider, which is being manufactured by Northrop Grumman.
The transition follows a strategic move towards an inventory that will have two bombers: the new B-21 and the B-52H Stratofortresses, which have been in service for more than six decades.
No further retirement of the B-1Bs or the B-2 Spirit fleet drawdown plan has been announced by the Air Force. But the rest of the B-1Bs are still useful as long-range missile carriers, with the specialized ability to engage in long-range anti-ship missiles and possibly hypersonic missiles. With these developments, the USAF is set to maintain a skilled and versatile air strike force to meet the needs of contemporary war. The B-21 Raider will begin arriving in the mid-2020s with a technology edge and combat capability. Meanwhile, the rest of the B-1Bs will still be part of the USAF’s long-range striking capability, which will be a legacy and testament to their service.
