Posted on 04/27/2010 9:33:19 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The non-nuclear B-1 Lancer has adapted from a strategic mission to a close-air support role, and will continue to play an effective part in today's fight in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to leaders here.
While the remaining bombers in the Air Force inventory transferred to Air Force Global Strike Command, the B-1 has become the go-to airframe when combatant commanders want a show of force or support for ground troops.
"The predominance of what we are doing right now in theater is close-air support; non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and armed overwatch" said Col. Charlie Catoe, 7th Operations Group commander. "We are supporting the troops on the ground."
"The B-1's very flexible. What makes us very useful in the current fight is that we have a large payload, we can carry a varied amount of weapons," Colonel Catoe said. "If you need to go kinetic, you have a lot of choices on what you can do."
Operating at approximately 20,000 feet, the B-1 waits or "loiters" with up to 35 tons of precision-guided weapons. When ground troops encounter the enemy, the bomber's aircrew can engage in minutes because of the B-1's readiness and speed.
"We're fast for what you might think a bomber can do," the colonel said. "The loiter time is exceptional so we don't require as much tanker time to stay and hang around over the fight. Afghanistan is a good-sized country and we can dash back and forth across it as we need to, if somebody needs help in a hurry."
(Excerpt) Read more at af.mil ...
That SOB is fast.
I love that plane.
They have an air show almost every year not far away. After the last fly by, the B-1 goes past back to base and they go from 500 feet an up to 5,000 feet in a few miles going just below the speed of sound. The plane flat out moves.
Was just going to say, “This thread is useless without pictures...” Thank you!
Seen from that vantage, the B-1 reminds me of a jumbo-size FB-111!
Fast, and the greatest bomb load in the AF.
The most beautiful airplane ever built.
>The most beautiful airplane ever built.
The F-22 and F-14 are both also quite handsome.
My youngest daughter thinks the same thing. I happen to like the SR-71 and the Raptor myself.
Clearly the most capable aircraft ever built.
I second that motion. I think the C-5 is impressive, as well. Sure, it's not sexy like the B1, but there's something about the way it just lumbers through the air.
And of course, one can't forget about the F-4; America's blue collar fighter/attack platform.
I was able to play war games with the “smoker” and the newer version. Those guys were nuts. That aircraft I did not want on my horizon because they were most likely to kill me.
Those are the Dutch? Or, is it the Norwegians?
I participated in Arctic Warrior probably 20 years ago. I was shocked to see a bunch of F-4's there. At that point, I thought all had been retired. I think there's still quite a few flying in other countries to this day.
It was the US. 1980’s Red Flag. I operated a ZSU-23-4 AAA radar site.
Oh. I think one of the Scandinavian/Northern European countries may have hijacked that name.
If you ever GoogleEarth that aircraft graveyard out west, you can still see the F-4's lined up. It's sad.
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