[sukhoi-30mki]

The upgraded multiple ejector rack now being evaluated will increase the number of JDAMs carried by a B-1B from 15 to 48, a 320 percent increase in capability. (USAF photo)

[KarlInOhio]

If fielded, 16-carry modified rotary launchers will increase the number of 500-pound Joint Direct Attack Munitions and laser-guided JDAMs carried by the B-1B from 15 to 48, a 320 percent increase in capability.

Apparently they don't have math classes at journalism school. 48/15 = 3.2, or 320% of the original amount. Since you start at 100% that means you have a 220% increase.

[PilotDave]

Surprisingly poor headline, considering the sources. Payload is the amount of weight an airplane can carry. This mod is allowing for extra bombs to be carried on ejector racks. Oh well, neat mod anyway.

[RoadKingSE]

They ought to call it the Mahmoud Eradicator.

[edpc]

OK, but what does this do to range and performance?

[Fractal Trader]

Look, more bombs are nice, but there is nothing more sexy than the B-1R bomber on super cruise with 20 anti-aircraft missiles to boot.

[stefanbatory]

I remember way back when...I talked with a coworker who had been a bomb loader on B-1s and I was shocked to learn that the B-1B had a larger payload than the B-52. I had the opportunity to see a B-52 at the Museum at Robins AFB in GA and it was friggin huge! It sounds like this new rack will greater utilize the volume of the bomb bay and allow the bomber that Carter tried to eliminate to utilize much more of its potential.

[Joe 6-pack]

"This upgrade will not only save the Air Force money, but will also put less of our Airmen at risk; and that is our main priority," Colonel Goodfellow said."

"During the 1976 federal election campaign, Jimmy Carter made it one of the Democratic Party's platforms, saying "The B-1 bomber is an example of a proposed system which should not be funded and would be wasteful of taxpayers' dollars."

[lurk]

Nice rack.

The Israelis need some of these.

[sasquatch]

Wait for the Brady bunch to question the need for so many rounds...

[Kakaze]

In 1989, I was at flight school, a B-1 made a high speed pass.........damn impressive.

[laotzu]

[Kenny Bunk]

A toast to B-1 Bob Dornan.

In this AC, that crusty old blowhard has all the legacy any man needs!

[Yo-Yo]

"This upgrade will not only save the Air Force money, but will also put less of our Airmen at risk; and that is our main priority," Colonel Goodfellow said.

How is that, Colonel? Will only their heads be exposed? Perhaps you meant to say that fewer of our Airmen will be at risk?

The next development needs to be a rotary rack of 32 250LB SDBs. With 3 internal bomb bays, that'd be 96 Al Qaeda presents.