Nicknamed “The Bone,” the B-1B Lancer is a long-range, multi-mission conventional bomber, which has served the United States Air Force since 1985. Originally designed for nuclear capabilities, the B-1 switched to an exclusively conventional combat role in the mid 1990’s. In 1999, during Operation Allied Force, six B-1s flew 2 percent of the strike missions, yet dropped 20 percent of the ordnance. The B-1 has been nearly continuously deployed in combat operations over Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001.
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Boeing’s upgrades include the latest modernization program, the Integrated Battle Station, providing new aircrew color multifunction displays, diagnostics systems and digital avionics infrastructure.
The B-1 can hold up to 75,000 pounds of a wide variety of ordnance in its weapon bays.
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.
Sixty-two B-1s operate out of Texas and South Dakota. From those locations, the B-1 can strike targets worldwide.
| 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) |
| Inventory | 66 |
April 30, 2015 in Defense
The B-1 Bomber team celebrates 30 years since the delivery of the first Bomber to Dyess Air Force Base.
Learn MoreJanuary 14, 2013 in Defense
For 30 years, the B-1B Lancer, nicknamed the "bone," has provided speed, endurance, precision and capacity that no other bomber platform can match.
Learn MoreJuly 17, 2013 in Defense
Meet Lt. Col. Tim Schepper, who has flown B-1B Lancers for 22 years, spending more than 208 days in B-1 cockpits.
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