The Bone

Nicknamed “The Bone,” the B-1B Lancer is a long-range, multi-mission, supersonic conventional bomber, which has served the United States Air Force since 1985. The aircraft is on track to continue flying, at current demanding operations tempo, out to 2040 and beyond, and Boeing partners with the Air Force to keep the B-1 mission ready. Originally designed for nuclear capabilities, the B-1 switched to an exclusively conventional combat role in the mid-1990s. In 1999, during Operation Allied Force, six B-1s flew 2 percent of the strike missions, yet dropped 20 percent of the ordnance, and during Operation Enduring Freedom the B-1 flew on 2 percent of the sorties while dropping over 40 percent of the precision weapons. The B-1 has been nearly continuously deployed in combat operations over Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001.

B-1 Snapshot

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Unique Capabilities

Integrated Battle Station

Boeing’s upgrades include the latest modernization program, the Integrated Battle Station, providing new aircrew color multifunction displays, diagnostics systems and digital avionics infrastructure.

Tremendous Payload

The B-1 can hold up to 75,000 pounds of a wide variety of ordnance in its weapon bays.

World-Class Design

The aircraft won the prestigious Collier Trophy in 1976. It currently holds 100 world records for range, speed, payload and time to climb in its class.

Rapid, long-range

Sixty-two B-1s operate out of Texas and South Dakota. From those locations, the B-1 can strike targets worldwide.

B-1B Lancer Technical Specifications

Function	Long-range, multi-role, heavy bomber
Power plant	Four General Electric F101-GE-102 turbofan engine with afterburner
Thrust	30,000-plus pounds with afterburner, per engine
Wingspan	137 ft (41.8 m) extended forward, 79 ft (24.1 m) swept aft
Length	146 ft (44.5 meters)
Height	34 ft (10.4 meters)
Weight	Approximately 190,000 lbs (86,183 kg)
Max Takeoff Weight	477,000 lbs (216,634 kg)
Fuel Capacity	265,274 lbs (120,326 kg)
Payload	75,000 lbs internal (34,019 kg), 50,000 lbs (22,679 kg)
Speed	900-plus mph (Mach 1.2 at sea level)
Range	Intercontinental
Ceiling	More than 30,000 ft (9,144 m)
Crew	4 (aircraft commander, copilot, and two weapon systems officers)