066 - B-1 Lancer

Bomber Month marches on with the former Rockwell (now Boeing) B-1 Lancer.
This week, retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel Chris Wachter joins us to talk about the bomber canceled by one president but reinstated by another in a role quite different from what was originally intended. The "Bone," which in many ways is unlike any other bomber--such as swing-wings and afterburning engines--remains a vital part of the U.S. arsenal employing a wide array of weapons in a host of missions.
Episode artwork adapted by Janek Krause. Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell. This episode was produced by our friends at The MuscleCar Place Podcast Network.
Here is a link to the article regarding a "Bomber for the U.S. Navy:"
othjournal-com...

[@GoldPicard]

For those who don't know, when Wacky mentions AAMRAAMs he is directly talking about the B-1R a potential conversion for it to turn the B-1 into a big 40+( you don't know how many they could carry internally) missle carrying platform that can down entire formations of fighters by itself with either it's own radar or being data-linked the info from the strike package.

[@earlyprimate]

From the TV series Dogfights: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3PXon1-YpV_Y5o

[@peterprovenzano9039]

I also heard that the proposed B1R was going to have the F22’s engines installed. Do you know anything about that?

[@johnv.902]

Nice interview. Was a fourth class cadet when Wacky was a Firstie in my squadron, then flew with him with the T-Birds, great smart guy to fly with.

[@samivwow]

This one is one of my favorite, a lot of detail. "Wacky" is a good talker as well !

[@wackyB1]

Some say he talks too much...

[@andreaskalaitzakis5688]

@@wackyB1 :D

[@georgeburns7251]

One of the best interviews ever. I’d give this pilot a ten for info and personality

[@mrwedge123]

I know this podcast is a year old but I'd like to thank the colonel for his service. And to give kudos to him and the B-1. I saw the B-1 fly at the Hillsboro air show .What it did on the last day of the show was every bit the same as any of the jet fighters. I believe it's revival is the reason why the ussr decided to capitulate the cold war. Having seen it fly if it was nuke capable and had guns it could dogfight. Thank you Col. Wachter for your service.

[@jamesbower6408]

My fondest memory of the B-1 is when one came to my unit's aid in RC east Afghanistan and I got to hear my first sonic boom with that big bad flying bone going, and ill always remember the call over the radio to our PL. "Coming in 800 feet off the deck, from the east for a Mach 1 show of force, 10 seconds." Best fucking thing I've ever seen and heard in my life. I love that bird.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

That's glorious.

[@jamesbower6408]

Went from chaotic being 6 months into the army to absolutely fearless knowing I had that big beauty above me looking over me. Thank you so much for doing these podcasts! Sorry it took so long to find you

[@adamgajewski81]

Hooyah, nothing like the BONE

[@LRRPFco52]

My dad was on B-1B Combined Test Force when we got back from West Germany in 1982 when they had 2 of the original 4 B-1A ships in the renewed B-1B test program. Doug Benefield was the Rockwell chief test pilot and died after a capsule ejection and impact with the ground in August of 1984.

[@catchaser52]

RIP

[@tacoenvy]

Absolutely LOVE the B-1. I’ll never forget seeing one finally at an air show in 1993 and fell in love with it!

[@teddyd633]

B1 Lancer, I love this aircraft from the swing wigs and her slick lines to low altitude high-speed flights.

[@christophermailloux4706]

I've always had a wish to fly this thing. It must be incredible to fly a bomber that feels like a massive fighter.

[@MongooseTacticool]

Two B1's flew over my son and I this year whilst we were in the park. :) Very, very unusual for my part of the UK! Always impressive.

[@allenhuff9205]

My favorite episode so far! Wacky is a complete expert and terrific ambassador of the B-one community.

[@kenhelmers2603]

Thank you 'Wacky' for sharing your experiences and knowledge of the 'Bone' with us. imho, truly the unsung hero of aircraft today.

[@cbzgn38]

Fighter pilots make movies. Bomber pilots make history.

[@jaynicew]

Love this Jet!! My Favorite After the Tomcat!! Thank you for this!!🔥💯

[@acouch213]

I can remember when I was a kid living in Wichita, KS and these guys were stationed at McConnell AFB. They would do an "Afterburner" night maybe once a month and the AFB fence was just lined with people watching these guys take off with full burners. Ever since those days, I've loved the B-1. Granted, it might have been those days that gave me tinnitus, but it was worth it!

[@badhandtwelve6927]

If you haven't been to the Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson AFB, make the trip. This amazing aircraft catches your attention immediately. There is also a cockpit next to it where you can sit inside and get a feel for it.

[@markcorchado1054]

I worked in mission planning for the 34th Bomb Squadron (Thunderbirds) when they were part of the 366th Composite Wing at Mountain Home AFB, ID (1996-2000). It was a great four years. As a 3CO, I cut the DTUCs for many Thunder Power and Global Power missions. We eventually transitioned mission planning to desktop PCs and that put me out of a job.

[@kennethkatz8278]

Excellent, excellent episode by Vincent and Chris, in every way. Two picky points, from back in the early days of B-1B flight test when I was at Edwards AFB down the ramp from the B-1B CTF. 1. The B-1A were never converted to B-1B's, but two of the four B-1As were modified to have some of the components and systems of the B-1B, and used for test until the actual B-1Bs were available. One of those modified B-1As crashed. 2. The external hard points on the B-1B were for ALCM and ACM, not SRAM. They were never deployed operationally.

[@wackyB1]

Good fill-ins.. I apologize if I misspoke about the hard points, the "N" period was before my time, but I didn't want to mis-represent.

[@kennethkatz8278]

@@wackyB1 Some stuff from back then. The B-1B was designed to carry 14 sets of hard points for external carriage of AGM-86B ALCM or AGM-129A ACM. It also was designed for one of the weapons bay bulkheads to be moved so that a Common Strategic Rotary Launch (CSRL) could be carried in the intermediate bay. the CSRL could carry 8 ALCM or 4 ACM. But 8 internal ALCM plus 14 external carriage missiles = 22, and the SALT 2 treaty limited each bomber to 20 cruise missiles so only 12 sets of external hard points were fitted. Side note: SALT 2 was never ratified by the US Senate but the US more or less adhered to it anyway. So the B-1B could have been loaded out with up to 20 cruise missiles plus 8 SRAM, B61, or B83 in the aft bay. The SRAM was running out of useful life and anyway it was getting old, so the AGM-131A SRAM 2 was in development to replace it. There was a lot of work on SRAM 2 and B-1B/SRAM 2 integration but the program was cancelled (along with fitting B-1B with ALCM, ACM and CSRL) when the Cold War ended.

[@peterprovenzano9039]

wackyB1 great job on the podcast. I hope you come back as a guest co-host. I have a question: how realistic is it that Air Force will convert some B1s to carry air to air missiles for the fighters? Is this something that was just floated or do you think it has traction and will get developed?

[@garypashley3636]

We need a podcast on the F-111 Aardvark.. Or the SAC FB-111's....just sayin'

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

One day.

[@pauldirac808]

Definitely the Aardvark...

[@bret9741]

@@pauldirac808 agreed.

[@-RudeSeagull-]

Amazing podcast, i always loved the B-1 and now i love it even more.

[@jeffking8890]

I was stationed at Ellsworth AFB from September 1985 until April 1994. The BONE went off Nuclear Alert in late 1991. Several of us Munitions Maintenance Dawgs talked about using the Rotary Launcher back to Desert Storm (1990-91). We even told “leadership” to make the SRAM (AGM-69A) a conventional munition. The B-61 bomb “body” was close to the Mk 84 or JDAM variant. The BONE can deliver as much ordnance as six (6) F-16Cs for less cost ($62,000 per hour vs. 6 x $25,000 per hour). I now work the F-22 Raptor Program as an Engineer. I have worked on the AGM-69A, AGM-86B, FB-111A, B-52G/H, B-2A, and F-35A programs in various capacities. Yes! The B-1B should be able to launch AIM-120C/Ds or a new AIM-54 Phoenix.

[@screaminevo2618]

So interesting, entertaining, and educational. The B1, in my opinion as one of the most beautiful and aircraft of all time.

[@canadianpatriot2498]

Podcasts on some of the WW2 fighters like the Spitfire, Hurricane, Mustang, Thunderbolt, lighting, or naval fighters like the corsair or hellcat would be amazing. Just discovered this podcast and love it

[@schwappingmags1008]

Man, the fighter pilot podcast just keeps getting better and better!

[@RsWidau]

I actually work at the AF museum. He mentions the fuel tank full of water, the BONE in the museum also has two poles, similar to a jack stand, at the rear of the plane to keep it planted and upright.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Crazy!

[@BennyAndTheJets86]

The b1 is probably one of the coolest airplanes I saw take off out of Warner Robins Georgia. I used to drive by the base one the way home from school just to see if I could see a fighter take off or “playing”. And one day I saw this big ass fighter looking airplane with 4 engines that had after burners. 😍 I couldn’t believe how loud and it was a rough looking bird! Ever since then I have always admired these airplanes.

[@jedibusiness789]

‘The profession of arms”…staying with a burning aircraft cause a crew member ejection seat failed. Got misty with that one. Semper Fi

[@CajunMarine33445]

Love your podcast JELLO such a great series love every minute of it

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thanks very much!

[@jeffb2659]

I must say Jello this was an awesome podcast Wacky was great speaker and very knowable about the B-1 "Bone Incredible interview Thanks for your Service and a Great Podcast.

[@theglobalwaronterrorismhis8773]

Such an interesting piece. Don't often hear much mention of the BONE except from JTACs and the occasional ground personnel we've talked with. Thanks for sharing this.

[@terryboyer1342]

Loved this episode! So glad he cleared up the fire/ejection incident. I had heard a much different version and feel much better now.

[@scottmattern482]

I once successfully landed the B-1 in the training simulator at Ellsworth. I remember it was easy to fly, similar to an airliner on Microsoft Flight Simulator - which is where i honed my only other aviations skills. Plus it helped that a b1 pilot was telling me approach speeds, how to trim, where the flaps were, etc.

[@dominickveltri2846]

This is a great interview, and very informative (even for me as I am maintainer on the B-1's electronic warfare system aka DAS sys.). These interviews are all an hour+ in length and you don't seem to ask many questions pertaining to what happens behind the scenes...the maintenance of the aircraft. Sure, it's much less glorious than the flying and the combat capability of the aircrafts, but without the maintenance these things wouldn't even be considered 'flyable'. Another noteworthy fact, the B1-B is the most maintenance intensive aircraft we have... #MaintainerLivesMatter

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Check out our next episode on the B-2, you may be pleasantly surprised.

[@texasforever7887]

I love watching these take off at night from Dyess. Spitting 4 flames out the back. They are absolutely huge!

[@IntrusiveThot420]

The USAF used to sell plushie B-1B dolls. I don't know if this information will ever be of use to anyone, but I bought two of them at Dyess AFB a couple years ago.

[@simflier8298]

Four F-16s strapped to the wings. Thats bad to the "Bone"!

[@coastalbbq1]

Super conversation

[@spacebear49]

There's actually a B-1A on static display at Wings over the Rockies Museum, at the old Lowry AFB property near Denver. You can actually see the outline of the ejection capsule (similar to the F-111).

[@RKW1138]

From the outside it still looks like it was built yesterday.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

RKW1138 it’s definitely a clean looking aircraft!

[@mxcollin95]

Great interview! 🤙🇺🇸

[@waitbalthy6342]

Another fantastic episode, thanks for all the hard work! Also the new Top Gun trailer is out, we need your take on it Jell-O!

[@slmyatt]

Closest I got, I was lost at night outside Abilene, Tx. Then I saw long twin blue flames followed by thunder as it flew over my car. Words fail.

[@scottmattern482]

Its power should be felt by everyone. I remember it being the loudest at the air shows when I was a kid.

[@modscientist9793]

What a great episode! Fantastic and detailed. I wanted to ask about rolling the aircraft and how the guys in the back deal with them given their rear facing seating positions? 😂 like a backward roller coaster.

[@Planehazza]

B-B-B-Bad to the...

[@sb859]

Excellent run down of the Mighty Bone.

[@SgtMjr]

The B-1s in operation right now are down to a handful. They have been worn out in combat so much that only a few remain flyable, 6 as of June 2019.

[@texasforever7887]

The story that I heard was a local Abilene reporter wrote an article about the new bomber coming to town and instead of spelling it the B-1 he spelled it the B-one. Those at Dyess at the time latched on to it.

[@robertcadena5972]

Awesome podcast , loved hearing the stories of these aviators . Thanks Jello

[@therocinante3443]

So it automatically shifts fuel around depending on the situation to keep the cg. Man, how cool is that??

[@anti-socialmedia8195]

I love this bird. I do think forward fireing weapons are needed and the missile truck idea is awesome. Just imagine a F-35 targeting several enemy aircraft and a bone 15km behind just rippling off a bunch of air to air missiles. All the sudden a 4 ship enemy flight is subjected to a externally induced rapid disassembly process. I think this would be a force multiplier of which any enemy would be fearful of. Also if a couple of MIG-29's are coming on nose to nose and they turn into a set of multiple radar returns and the enemy knows there are no other aircraft around would definitely wonder what happened. Still and all the bone is just beautiful and amazing. We should build more. A lot more. The B-21 Raider will be amazing but only in 10 to 15 years. Till then the B-1 will have to remain in the air.

[@HabitualButtonPusher]

I have a few friends that are maintainers its a whole different plane for them they call it "Getting Boned"

[@alaskanmarine1]

Such a cool aircraft, great payload and endurance certainly a great asset for those who are in the fight over Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Ever get the chance to watch these guys takeoff from Nellis AFB, can feel it in your chest, sure is the sound of Freedom.

[@Stelf101]

The British Avro Bomber trio would be sweet, all nucular ready Victor, Valkyrie and of course Vulcan.

[@FastUgly]

Yeah absolutely well spoken very cool aircraft as well

[@CoryC1033]

JASSM 💪 We make the composite shell. The "Great White" rocks.

[@adamgajewski81]

Nothing badder than the BONE

[@stevenkdobbs]

Great interview! But one important design feature was not mentioned. Do the crews still use the SMCS (Structural Mode Control System) aerodynamic vanes mounted near the nose that oscillate to reduce the pilot seat vibrations at low altitudes where gusts are prevalent? I had the pleasure of helping the engineering development and flight testing as a young dynamics engineering at Rockwell on both the B-A and B models. One of my mentors was John Wykes who designed the SMCS. During flight tests of the B-1A model at Mach .95 at 200-500 AGL pilots Charlie Bock and Doug Benifield and the on-board flight test engineer would ask John Wykes ( we were stationed in the old 3940 flight test Mission Control center at EAFB) for permission to re-engage the SMCS when the test cards said to dis-engage it for comparisons of the pilot seat vibration vibs for SMCS off vs. on due to the uncomfortable ride with system off. The pilot seat accelerometer data also showed significant reduction in pilot vibration when the SMCS was on during high speed flight at low altitudes. Please comment...

[@jato62]

Great show!!!!

[@timthomas8309]

Good old B-1, keep six on the ground so one can fly around.

[@motoerhead1990]

that was amazing! Love to the Bone!

[@heymotivator2231]

Great episode, you should have way more than 18k subscribers. The algorithm is broken!

[@morgangrey4020]

They are Also #1 in Noise on Takeoff......Used to have them at Robins AFB.....could hear the damn thing takeoff 15 miles away.

[@michaelmulligan0]

Wonder why retire the B1 and keep the B52? Physical size of ordnance?

[@yxeaviationphotog]

Just getting around to listening to this episode. I had read somewhere about the origin of "BONE". There was a magazine (maybe Aviation Week?), and the author was spelling B-1 as B-One. Crews got wind of it and the rest is history I suppose.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Sounds about right.

[@varmint87]

You guys talk about where you were 0n 9/11/01. I was in 8th grade lol. Apache Junction, AZ on the way to middle school on the bus when i heard the radio chatter that the first plane hit.

[@Bobcatflyfish]

I have a question about the various “colleges” within the armed forces, such as the army war college, the air war college, ect. What are they? And how do they differ from something such as the air force or naval academy?

[@wackyB1]

It is what the military called "Professional Military Education" or PME. It is akin to graduate school for the military, and some of the schools are federally accredited as master programs( by comparison, the service academy are undergraduate level college). There are intermediate level schools, for majors, and senior level schools for Colonels. It is where military officers study and transition from tactical to operational level focus (intermediate) or from operational to strategic focus (senior) level of warfare.

[@3er24t4g1]

This guy was great

[@shawnp6653]

Thanks for your service guys. Wacky doesn't like Okla? ;) Great podcast.

[@user-be6lj3iv7m]

IF the Sensor Fused Weapon doesn't find a target i believe it becomes inert.

[@bret9741]

This platform is far far from irrelevant or obsolete. If given a choice of keeping the B-52 flying or keeping the B-1.. I’d choose the B-1. In my opinion, the B-1 is an ideal CAS platform when combined with A-10’s, F-15E’s and ever increasingly the F-35. The A-10 is great when the platform can be based close to combat, but there simply are times when time is absolutely of the essence and the B-1 provides loitering and speed. The B-1 was the real replacement of 4 a 5 F-111’s. I understand stealth is very important but speed is also very important.

[@SkyBiscoff]

Really cool guy really cool plane, I was hoping that somebody would ask about the turkey feathers on the engines, always wondered why they disappeared off B1 and the F-15

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

That will be covered on the forthcoming F-15 episode.

[@damiangrouse4564]

“Cutting Tape”? Are still doing tape loads on the b-1? I would think they would do it with SD cards by now. I was in the last tape load crew at MHAFB when the F-111Fs relocated to England. And that was many moons ago.

[@johnp2110]

Im just starting listening, so maybe this is answered later on. I didn't realize bomber pilots went to fighter weapons school. How does that work for B1 guys? Did you have training sorties in the B1? or did they put you in something else? Really cool to hear and know that though!

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

These things have now replace the B-52''s 10 year stint in Guam.

[@saadilyas86]

Incredible interview Jello. Very entertaining. Can I ask what was your reference to green ink in the beginning?

[@spartan-ml7nk]

you guys dont sleep? it s 11 in France! so it s what? 5 EST? Little question for you from a french follower. Will we see one day a podcast on the mirage 2000?

[@Francoismag1]

Oh yeah a Mirage 2000 episode would be great for sure :p Nice to see there's other French listening the show :)

[@donkoh5738]

Too bad really the assembly line is not open today. And too bad USAF never procured the F-16XL variant , which could have indeed kept up w/ the B-1 very well at higher Mach cruise speed ; ) With respect to JSOW, perhaps the -ER mod would be a valid option by say 2022? Engine upgrade? Brand new GE-132 would be impressive. Lastly, forget AMRAAM. Think s-band radar upgrade + SM-6 !

[@blakena4907]

That CBU-105, man. What. The hell.

[@damiangrouse4564]

Same for f111. Wings forward on the ground.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Interesting.

[@robertmillwee6409]

Here's an older video of a Bone doing acrobatics at an airshow, including a double aileron roll at the end. MIght not seem too impressive until you remember that this is a big-ass bomber: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpnJZ3-vgqiMm6s

[@superskullmaster]

Good one. Only thing that irked me a tad is that he pronounced nuclear as “nookyouler” instead of “nooklee-er”. Petty I know.

[@wackyB1]

Purposeful too.... Saying that word is a $5 fine in the Bone Community!

[@bakerhitch5856]

This episode was a joy.

[@paulybassman7311]

Bet you could get at least 10 AM-120 in Bay 1 on a rotary launcher? .... talk about fighting your way in😮😂 I always wanted Concorde to be converted for military use... Mach 2 Baby!

[@altebo]

If you are into aviation: Dan Gryder can save YOUR life!

[@neilmoulden5323]

Got to know these planes during Iraqi Freedom at RAF Fairford. Still prefer the look of a flying B52.

[@joenobody2580]

Big Daddy Trump sent the bone on those chem weps 💪👊 ...btw the national news I watched said it was a cruise missle 🙄

[@amatthew1231]

"pretty much the best targeting pod that's currently being used by all of our *aluminium* fighters and bombers" Hmmmm.

[@hog8035]

Freedom

[@hoghogwild]

Yup!

[@malcolmjfabiojr.3134]

I just read raven one by Kevin Miller your thoughts

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Malcolm J Fabio Jr. it’s a featured item on our website and has been on our Facebook and Instagram pages as well...a friend of the show, Kevin Miller wrote another great one!

[@harryb8023]

B2 next week?

[@pieandmashlover]

@ 31:45 did he just say it carries 28 500lb class musicians?! That's a lot of Pavarotties!! 🤭

[@josephrosenbaum3343]

reallu suprised ya'll didnt talk about the maintenance issues like having to steal parts off of museum displays just to keep deployed birds running

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

I guess Wacky wanted to put the best foot forward.

[@bizzfo]

Forgot to talk about the readiness issues that were reported somewhat recently for the B1.

[@rmack9226]

Boys need to learn how to say NEW-CLEE-AR

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Ok, lemme try: NU-Q-LER. Got it. 🤣

[@colderwar]

Saying " man to man interaction " and no-one makes a joke ? I am disappointed in you chaps....must try harder.... :)))

[@rpm1796]

Iraq and Afghanistan....WOW....showed them... Now we do Ukraine.

[@richardgross5372]

What about the f22 rsptor

[@Bravo2Zulu]

The B-1 is like a gorgeous lady with the perfect curves.

[@steveschu]

Stop saying “wut not” .

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Not helpful.