Manufactured by Rockwell
Bomber
The B-1A was designed in the late 1960s as a new generation strategic bomber. The B-1A has a Variable Geometry wing and an ejectable crew module. The B-1’s wings are extended for low speed operation and swept rearward for high speed flight. The first three B-1As did not have ejection seats, instead the entire cockpit section could be separated from the aircraft in an emergency. Four B-1A prototypes were built before the program was canceled in 1977. In 1981, President Reagan revived the project with a contract for 100 B-1Bs. As a result of changing mission requirements, the production B-1B is a high subsonic version (but capable of Mach 1 flight) of the B-1A and has a much heavier weight-carrying capability. Further, the B-1B has 1/100th the radar cross section and can carry 1 1/2 times the weapons load weight of a B-52.
With in-flight refueling, the B-1B can deliver a payload to virtually any point on the planet in a matter of hours from their base in Virginia.
Our B1A Lancer
The B-1A on display is the third prototype built and the second to fly.
Specifications
- Role/Category: Bomber
- Wingspan: Extended – 136 feet, 9 inches; Fully Swept – 78 feet, 3 inches
- Length: 150 feet, 3 inches
- Height: 33 feet, 7 inches
- Weight: 389,800 lbs., Maximum Take-Off Weight – 395,000 lbs.
- Powerplant: Four General Electric F101-GE-100 turbofans each providing 30,000 lbs. of thrust in afterburner.
- Speed: maximum – 1,450 mph (1,259 knots) or Mach 2.2 at 50,000 feet normal cruise – 561 mph (487 knots)
- Ceiling: 62,000 feet
- Crew: 4 – pilot, copilot, offensive systems operator and defensive systems operator
- Armament: Electronic Counter Measures only.
- Payload: 115,000 lbs of air-to-ground and cruise missiles, nuclear weapons, or conventional bombs.