B-1 Lancer "The Bone" ] North American Supersonic Variable Sweep Wing, Heavy Bomber

A documentary about the Rockwell B-1 Lancer, a supersonic variable-sweep wing, heavy bomber used by the United States Air Force. From the B-1A prototypes to the B-1B. The Lancer It is commonly called the "Bone" (from "B-One"). It is one of three strategic bombers serving in the U.S. Air Force fleet along with the B-2 Spirit and the B-52 Stratofortress as of 2022.
The video also features the story of the B-17 Bomber
The B-1 was first envisioned in the 1960s as a platform that would combine the Mach 2 speed of the B-58 Hustler with the range and payload of the B-52 and was meant to ultimately replace both bombers. After a long series of studies, Rockwell International (now part of Boeing) won the design contest for what emerged as the B-1A. This version had a top speed of Mach 2.2 at high altitude and the capability of flying for long distances at Mach 0.85 at very low altitudes. The combination of the high cost of the aircraft, the introduction of the AGM-86 cruise missile that flew the same basic speed and distance, and early work on the stealth bomber all significantly reduced the need for the B-1. This led to the program being canceled in 1977 after the B-1A prototypes had been built.
The program was restarted in 1981, largely as an interim measure due to delays in the B-2 stealth bomber program. This led to a redesign as the B-1B, which differed from the B-1A by having a lower top speed of Mach 1.25 at high altitude, but improved the low-altitude speed to Mach 0.96. The electronics were also extensively improved, and the airframe was improved to allow takeoff with the maximum possible fuel and weapons load. Deliveries of the B-1B began in 1986 and formally entered service with Strategic Air Command (SAC) as a nuclear bomber that same year. By 1988, all 100 aircraft had been delivered.
With the disestablishment of SAC and its reassignment to the Air Combat Command in 1992, the B-1B was converted for a conventional bombing role. It first served in combat during Operation Desert Fox in 1998 and again during the NATO action in Kosovo the following year. The B-1B has supported U.S. and NATO military forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. As of 2021 the Air Force has an inventory of 45 B-1Bs. The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider is to begin replacing the B-1B after 2025; all B-1s are planned to be retired by 2036.
General characteristics
Crew: 4 (Aircraft Commander, Pilot, Offensive Systems Officer, and Defensive Systems Officer)
Length: 146 ft (45 m)
Wingspan: 137 ft (42 m)
Swept wingspan: 79 ft (24 m) swept
Height: 34 ft (10 m)
Wing area: 1,950 sq ft (181 m2)
Airfoil: NACA69-190-2
Empty weight: 192,000 lb (87,090 kg)
Gross weight: 326,000 lb (147,871 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 477,000 lb (216,364 kg)
Powerplant: 4 × General Electric F101-GE-102 afterburning turbofan engines, 17,390 lbf (77.4 kN) thrust each dry, 30,780 lbf (136.9 kN) with afterburner
Performance
Maximum speed: 721 kn (830 mph, 1,335 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m), 608 kn (1,126 km/h) at 200-500 ft (61-152 m)
Maximum speed: Mach 1.25
Range: 5,100 nmi (5,900 mi, 9,400 km) with weapon load of 37,000 lb (16,800 kg). Max range is 6,500 nmi (12,000 km).
Combat range: 2,993 nmi (3,444 mi, 5,543 km)
Service ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,000 m)
Rate of climb: 5,678 ft/min (28.84 m/s)
Wing loading: 167 lb/sq ft (820 kg/m2)
Thrust/weight: 0.38 at gross weight
Armament
Hardpoints: 6 external hardpoints for ordnance with a capacity of 50,000 pounds (23,000 kg), with provisions to carry combinations of:
Bombs:
Mk-82 air inflatable retarder (AIR) general purpose (GP) bombs
Mk-82 low drag general-purpose (LDGP) bombs
Mk-62 Quickstrike sea mines
Mk-84 general-purpose bombs
Mk-65 naval mines
CBU-87/89/CBU-97 Cluster Bomb Units (CBU)
CBU-103/104/105 Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser (WCMD) CBUs
GBU-31 JDAM GPS guided bombs (Mk-84 GP or BLU-109 warhead)
GBU-38 JDAM GPS-guided bombs (Mk-82 GP warhead)
GBU-38 JDAM (using rotary launcher mounted multiple ejector racks)
GBU-54 LaserJDAM (using rotary launcher mounted multiple ejector racks)
GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb GPS guided bombs (not fielded on B-1 yet)
AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW)
AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM)
AGM-158 Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM)
AGM-183 Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW)
Previously B61 or B83 nuclear bombs could be carried.
Bombs: 3 internal bomb bays for 75,000 pounds (34,000 kg) of ordnance.
Avionics
1× AN/APQ-164 forward-looking offensive passive electronically scanned array radar
1× AN/ALQ-161 radar warning receiver and defensive jamming equipment
1× AN/ASQ-184 defensive management system
1× Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (optional)
#bomber #airplane #b1bomber

[@Dronescapes]

Click the link to watch more aircraft, heroes, and their stories, and missions: www.youtube.com/@Dronescapes

[@Mr_Negrodamus]

I once was an Offensive Avionics Tech on the B-1. 👍🇺🇸 Ellsworth, AFB South Dakota 2000 "P"

[@Dronescapes]

👍👍👍

[@Xsiondu]

What is offensive avionics? Is that the missiles and the like?

[@heyitsvos]

When I was truck driving I'd time my driving schedule to time-out close to Box Elder so I could sit at night and watch them. Sigh

[@ZATennisFan]

Quite simply one of the most gorgeous aircraft ever built….

[@fredeb67]

B-58 HUSTLER

[@williampomplun6750]

How true, like a Venus Flytrap is pretty unique and deadly to flies.

[@michaelhilborn4204]

I respectfully disagree. 🙂 I once saw Concorde at an airshow.

[@ZATennisFan]

@@michaelhilborn4204 Concorde is a beauty.Not too sure I would have wanted to fly in her though. The interior was very narrow and rather cramped.

[@michaelhilborn4204]

@@ZATennisFan True enough but I will always regret I never had the opportunity. It could super cruise at Mach 2, which no other aircraft has done before or since.

[@MrKRUB123]

Palmdale. 1987. I was driving eastbound on HWY 14 on my way to Edwards AFB. I was nearing the Rosamond turn off. COMING UP FAST, up the lake bed, a large aircraft was on FULL AFTER BURNER, maybe 100 feet above the desert. It was a B-1. I said out loud "It's a B-1!" As soon as it got to my car it suddenly punched up 70degrees into the bright blue sky. My car SHOOK violently as it blew by. The sound was incredible. Louder than a SR-71. It takes a lot to impress me. That impressed me.

[@runtpacket]

Stationed at Ft campbell in the early 90's. our hanger was on the back side of the airfield. One day on lunch I lucked out to be under a B-1B taking off. Maybe 150' over me. I was blessed to have the sunroof off that day. What a memory.

[@kirkengnath5501]

Can you imagine how crazy a model builder would go if given the chance to build a full size mock up model? The model might even build it on the cheap to just be given the chance to build that big and real.

[@pdoylemi]

The fact that the Air Force plans to keep the B-52 in service until 2050 says a lot about the value of the B-1.

[@mr.cookie7308]

One of the most beautiful airplanes out there.

[@stephenskinner4857]

I was one of those young rookie designer working overtime on this project on a Friday. Then coming to work on Monday, suddenly was told to pack up all drawings onto a cart to be destroyed. It was devastating.

[@c.san.8751]

Brutal. Also, what a waste of money.

[@fredeb67]

​@@c.san.8751Canceling this product freed up funds for stealth and cruise missiles.

[@BLD426]

Apologies & Thanks..

[@AutismusPrime69]

Sure you were

[@c.san.8751]

@@briancooper2112 Yup. maybe they should pay the soldiers, their benefits and take care of the veterans instead of wasting billions upon billions. Wake up sheep.

[@morallysound1]

My favorite aircraft of all time. I've been up close and in the B-1 bomber. Unbelievable aircraft..

[@jonathanbrooks9768]

never been this early and never heard of this aircraft so this is a double win for me right now

[@superskullmaster]

How have you never heard of the B-1?

[@jonathanbrooks9768]

@@superskullmaster im 21 years old and just recently got into American war planes

[@chrismoody1342]

The B1B was a common sight in Wichita during late 80’s and 90’s. My next door neighbor was a pilot of this craft.

[@GeneralGayJay]

I always think the engines look like the aircraft has balls.

[@bradatherton9369]

It does have balls! 4, to be precise.

[@doctordetroit4339]

What a gorgeous airplane.....the most beautiful one the US ever made besides maybe the SR-71.

[@stevedow2740]

Amen, brother...😊

[@RAYTHEONGAMING]

IDK I was pretty partial to the F117A

[@stevedow2740]

Amen brother. 🙏 😊

[@stevedow2740]

Agreed 😊❤

[@stevedow2740]

Amen brother.

[@gregparrott]

This video has by far the most detail on the B-1of any that I've seen. In addition to the bomber itself, the coverage of the politics was very interesting. I did not know that a secret revelation of the 'Have Blue' (F-117) to Brzezinski motivated President Carter to cancel the B-1. I'm glad the B-1 was produced (just checked, we have 45 in service) It's payload is amazing. Plus, its lines are so sleek that it easily wins the 'most beautiful aircraft' award.

[@Siiello]

If it was so detailed they would have mentioned the fact that the B-1B had half the top speed as the B-1A, a pretty glaring omission but is covered by other videos.

[@gregparrott]

@@Siiello I agree that is a major missing point. But conversely, I bet the other videos missed a lot of the details mentioned here. This is the most detailed video I've personally seen. If you know of a better one, please cite a link, and/or its title.

[@slmyatt]

One night years I was parked on a country road outside Abilene, Tx. I heard a roar and saw long twin pencils of flame and thunder as a B-1 blotted out the stars overhead.

[@Dronescapes]

👍😎

[@andrewcarlson7938]

I'm an Abilene native and was 10 years old when the first B-1 was delivered to the USAF at Dyess in 1985. "BONES" are a daily and comforting site around here. Their afterburner takeoffs shake the entire metro area, which is awesome! The Air Force has announced that the new B-21 stealth bombers will replace the B-1s at Dyess within the next decade. While the region is excited for the new stealthy and quiet bomber, many of us will miss the earth-shattering B-1 flights! @@Dronescapes

[@boeingdriver29]

As a kid I used to dream of being in command of a B-1. Stunning.

[@Dronescapes]

👍😎

[@steveschu]

Same. I got to sit in one with its engines idle. My friend’s dad was a high rank and let us go inside and take a quick look when we were 10 yrs old in 87. That plane stills blows my mind.

[@jeffstrom164]

Love it or hate it,, you have to admit, the bone is a beautiful machine.

[@AutismusPrime69]

It's actually not

[@mydangname]

I live close to abilene. We have an air force training thing here. So we have B-1s over head almost daily. So slick airframes

[@robertthompson1254]

I saw her in a hanger at Edwards air force base. She was in a corner under guard. She looked like a caged animal. It was don't let her out. This is one dangerous bird.

[@tml721]

Every year at Dayton Ohio air show one of these is on display. When they take off after the show the sound penitraits the air for miles!!

[@TheDarthSoldier]

The bone is such a beautiful aircraft. Im glad i got to see first hand its might

[@nascar8and20]

The bone still rocks.

[@kevinphillips9408]

Great video

[@RV4aviator]

Love Mr Bones, Love the USA..! I'm thankful America has her mighty Military. Truly the Worlds Police Force for good..!

[@madisyn6745]

I think the B-ONE B deserves an update in the form of the B-ONE R!

[@stephenskinner4857]

Those were the days when Aerospace Industry was producing alot of jobs. Also working alongside many designers from the Greatest Generation was an unappreciated highlight in my 27b years working in the Industry as a designer for 5 different companies on 21 programs. TODAY is a very diminished Industry. Miss being around creative and knowledgeable minds. - Stephen Skinner

[@williampomplun6750]

My Dad built what he called "THE POTTYCHAIR" held the fased radar at LTV (now Northworp Grumman) in the 1980'S at the Grand Prairie facility.

[@soggyfries4347]

Such deadly beauty.

[@ioanbota9397]

I like this powerful bombardiers

[@rbnhd1976]

AWESOME

[@rbnhd1976]

Thanks DS

[@Dronescapes]

Thanks 🤗

[@pathfinderdiscovery9395]

Gorgeous airplane , stunning lines

[@michellearrington4846]

Being owned by the u.s.a.f it will never be used to its fullest potential.

[@SOSchangedme]

I HEARD and saw a B1 fly in Palmdale during P.E. WOW that thing was LOUD! Good looking but how was it different from the Valkyrie?

[@jason6919]

I often travel through Abilene. When you hear the roar, you know it's a B1 Lancer. I have seen them many times taking off while on I-20.

[@andrewcarlson7938]

I'm an Abilene native, and live about 10 miles southeast of Dyess AFB. The B-1 afterburners shake the house on a daily basis. I love it!

[@user-fk1lw4cs4r]

Going fast at low levels around 200 ft at machspeeds isnt easy the furmula design following function gave the aircrafts its blended wing body and shape

[@BasicBobby]

Fast and low, snaking through mountain valleys, eager to deliver its gifts to a recipient. A small RCS, and below radar level, as to keep it a surprise.

[@Za7a7aZ]

One should expect the b1 bomber be a classified area 51 project. From that I suspect that there was something more "effective" being prepared at area 51 at the time. Anyways...a very beautiful plane, just like the sr71

[@chipbryan7718]

These videos go to show that nine of us civilians know much about such aircraft..but I believe there is tons of too secret Kool tech.. like this and more 🤔👍🙂

[@joe-g1749]

Good video. Lots of original film. Only a few minor errors.

[@johnshields6852]

Some of the best plane designs resemble certain birds, the B1, with it's wings extended or swept back it looks like a living bird with a nasty bite.

[@Cars-N-Jets]

B1 shouldn't be retired.

[@racingmaniacgt1]

B-52 will keep flying past B-1B's service life.....ultimately I think Carter is the one laughing in the end....

[@CptDallas]

B-1B's are down to cannibalization for parts.

[@winstonsmith478]

At 10:17, not F-117 crew capsule, F-111.

[@76Draeger]

The first woman to fly while pregnant in the USAF is a B-1 pilot as is her husband and they flew supersonic while she was pregnant!

[@Dronescapes]

Imagine how many women flew on the Concorde while pregnant. There is a good chance that kids were conceived on the Concorde as well, I would not be surprised at all…

[@intercommerce]

Why can't a variation of this amazing plane become America's new SST?

[@mikeisaacs2314]

I always looks the look of this plane

[@christhut8140]

terrible volume fluctuations. otherwise a great documentary

[@antonioprado7078]

E tudo teve início com uma motocicleta pendurada no galho de uma árvore, assim Santos Dumont descobriu que seria possível equipar uma máquina com um motor

[@janiceclark9361]

❤❤❤ BEAUTIFUL LIKE MY FELICIA 😻

[@harryparsons2750]

What about the B-1B

[@-fuk57]

The first five minutes are great. After that, the video gets some new narration style and annoying, generic music. I don't get it.

[@1isaacmusic]

The Bone Zone

[@user-fk1lw4cs4r]

On the battlefield the iraqi army would surrnder to the sound of this aircraft just buzzing posisitions and is the stratigy the B1 pilots abopted durring the conflict these aircraft are feared and deadly

[@shenmisheshou7002]

The B1B was never used in the role that was used to justify its construction. Not once. Oh, it has bombed but the total amount of ordinance dropped by the B-1B is a tiny fraction of the bombs dropped by the B52, and the B1B has never had to face a tier 1 opponent .It was never used to attack Russia in a low-level penetration bombing mission and in fact has never flown a low-level penetration mission in combat. We spent billions building an aircraft and it was only ever used to do things the B-52 could have done. Meanwhile, the king of the skis , the venerable B-52, is still the most feared bomber in the world, and will be with us for another 25 years, long after the B1Bs have rotted in the desert.

[@FuckACopRestInPiss]

Incredible what they built Just imagine what they have now. They will just 3D print. auto-cad prototypes designed with AI,

[@kailashsingh9737]

Very nice sir hi ji

[@josephfuselier]

I recommend that The U.S AirForce extend the life of The B-1 Bomber. We need all of our assets as China is highly unpredictable and it is better to have an ace up your sleeve as a extra Bomber as you can maximise your bombing priority. With the B52, B-21, It would be a major game changer as China is on the march at expanding its military on a huge colossal scale. We need the B-1 as it is a proven aircraft.

[@tipwilkin]

Ben Rich more like Ben Dover lmao gottem

[@amarzaky4786]

capt SS/sedan sontoloyo chevelle or damage.

[@cliffcampbell8827]

The B-1 is a heavy bomber? I always thought it was a medium.

[@intercommerce]

It can carry more than even the B-36!

[@Noname-dc9mm]

It has the biggest load out of all of the USAF bombers and therefore probably the world

[@Noname-dc9mm]

@@JamesOMalley-hb4tf wow , thanks for educating me , it’s nearly double on pay load weight and double in speed

[@arthurfoyt6727]

It was so heavy in it's final version that it HAD to fly at treetop level, LOL.

[@robertwaim6376]

USAs B1 and the Russias White Swan physically look alike

[@TheDarthSoldier]

Isn't it quite the coincidence that the one russian guy in Jimmy Carter's cabinet (who got to see the prototype) advised to shut it down. And then shortly after it was recomissioned, the Russians built an almost mirror for themselves? (Though not at all a success)

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Reagan got it restarted.

[@user-fk1lw4cs4r]

B1 is the fastest aircraft in the world on the deck arguably

[@superchad4610]

This aircraft gives me a..... ... F Carter!! And Iran!!!!! I'm old. I hope you are too, someday.

[@pathfinderdiscovery9395]

I honestly think this plane could dog fight if a pilot so needed to , I’d have had installed internal defense missiles as well a a Gatling gun as well as bombs , an truth be known it can still fly over Mach 2 I mean look at how top secret the F 22 is an I believe the 22 can fly faster than they say but you know it’s good to keep that secret for when an enemy pulls along side you an you shar down on the throttle an leave his but sitting at Mach 2.5 all the while you hitting Mach 2.8 2.9 Mach 3 ❤🎉

[@dougball328]

Truth be known, no it cannot fly over Mach 2. The variable geometry inlets that would allow high supersonic flight were removed from the B-1A to make the B-1B. The inlets were also redesigned to incorporate more effective stealth materials.

[@tagesplumbing]

🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲☝🏻

[@shellysmith1037]

Sad how small the US military has become. Small bomber force, tiny Navy, Marines with no tanks... Well, its one way to not get into conflicts

[@rohanlawrence2336]

F1,11 electronic fox

[@LeicaM11]

Very interesting, Boeing (Böing) had been founded by German immigrants.

[@superchad4610]

I would never rename a military base. I would name new ones

[@gd2bking1]

No military base should be named after POS TRAITORS!!!!!

[@napalmholocaust9093]

Since it is a bird, incubation is the proper term not gestation. That implies a womb.

[@GeneralGayJay]

Could this plane take off from a carrier 🙃

[@joe-g1749]

no

[@GeneralGayJay]

@@joe-g1749 can it land on one?

[@joe-g1749]

@@GeneralGayJay No it can't take off or land on a carrier. It's WAY too big and heavy. It requires a MUCH longer runway than smaller, lighter aircraft. Although it looks like a relatively small fighter without something next to it for scale, it is much larger tha anything that could operate from a carrier.

[@GeneralGayJay]

@@joe-g1749 So what about Taco Tuesdays on carriers?

[@apegues]

You need to get your facts straight…. The B-1 Bomber IS NOT a Supersonic Aircraft. Only the two prototypes were capable if supersonic speeds by using variable inlets for the engines but those were deleted on the production “B” models and remains a subsonic aircraft.

[@intercommerce]

Incorrect.The 'B' variant traded a lot of speed for bomb load but still flies at Mach 1.1. The original version flew twice as fast.

[@frgpilot]

if you are going to use the silly computer voice to narrate your videos can you at least get facts right? General Dynamics did not make the F-117 and the F-117 didn't have a crew escape capsule. The F-111 did.

[@thedailygreatness]

Carter was so disgusting, so disgraceful. Thank heaven for Reagan.

[@nickboykin9148]

Really hate these A.I. voices. If you expect me to watch your content, I expect you to not cut corners.

[@rimsorin8529]

White Swan is better, stronger and bigger. Russian made. 👍

[@bellybutthole]

32:58 Is the plane burning off fuel or something?

[@oleksandrkyiv7080]

B-1B is a great plane Tu 160 is a non sense heap of junk. Like a Chinese copy of an iphone

[@Bransons.]

That goes for every Russian/Chinese aircraft or equipment lol

[@77justin96]

Who calls it the Bone? Never heard that one.

[@Dronescapes]

Boeing's official page: "Nicknamed The Bone"...

[@pauld157]

B-one

[@edbaldwin8736]

Carter was not a visionary......

[@TraderDan58]

He should have stuck to peanut farming

[@bobf1174]

Carter was the worst President…..until now. FJB