Goodbye B-1 bomber. If we need every swinging stick in the air for INDOPACOM, doesn't a long-range plane that doesn't add to overloading air bases close to China worth the price of keeping it a bit longer?
The B-1 bomber will be retired:
In the next few years, the U.S. Air Force will say goodbye to the B-1 Lancer. The venerable bomber, known affectionately as the “Bone,” will be phased out, alongside the B-2 Spirit, in favor of the forthcoming B-21 Raider. But the B-1 will be difficult to replace, at least with respect to its specifications, which are impressive on paper. Although, in an era where air defense systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated, the non-stealth B-1’s ability to survive behind enemy lines has become imperiled, reducing the value of the strategic bomber in future conflicts against capable nation-states.
It's more than being non-stealthy given that the ancient B-52 clings to life as a bomb truck. I assume the issue is really operating cost compared to the B-52, notwithstanding the B-1's larger payload. The B-1's swing wing capability is no doubt a maintenance hog.
What will it do prior to being phased out "before 2035"?
I don't know why the fast B-1 couldn't serve in the Pacific and Indian Oceans as a long-range anti-ship bomber armed with anti-ship missiles. Or with long-range torpedoes. We could use land-based anti-ship capabilities, right?
And what about using the B-1 as a long-range fighter?
We do have a window of vulnerability to fill, don't we?
UPDATE: The old girl still has teeth:
Two B-1B Lancers out of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, flew alongside three U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcons from Osan Air Base, South Korea, four Marine Corps F-35Bs from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and four South Korean F-35As and F-15K Slam Eagles, according to news releases Thursday from the U.S. 7th Air Force and South Korean Ministry of National Defense.NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
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NOTE: The picture is from the article.
