Aviation Nation 2014: B-1B Lancer

The USAF operates 66 Rockwell B-1B Lancer aka “Bone” long-range heavy bombers that first entered operational service on October 1st, 1986 (the last was delivered on May 2nd, 1988. Originally 100 were procured). Aviation Nation 2014 at Nellis AFB, Nevada had one static B-1B to take a close look at and out on the operational flight line were a number of B-1B’s ready for action. On the second day of the air show a couple took off on a training mission.

Rockwell B-1B Lancer

Mach 1.2 capable

One big aircraft

The B-1B has a weapons payload capacity of 75,000 pounds / 34,019 kilograms

The “Bone”

The big swing-wing Lancer is an impressive sight on the ground. Even more so in flight. Seeing and hearing the raw power of those four Mach 1.2 capable General Electric F101-GE-102 turbofan engines with 30,000-plus pounds of afterburner thrust roaring on take-off is awesome to say the least!

Preparing for take-off

Rolling

Nose wheel up

Ready to fly

take-off

Away we go

four afterburner brute force

Seeing the B-1B take-off is an impressive sight

Heading off on a training mission

Flying past the USAF Thunderbirds F-16 lineup