For the first time in 30 years, the entire fleet of Cold War strategic bomber B-1B Lancers has been relocated to Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, and Anderson AFB, Guam. This has been done to pave the way for a runway construction project at Ellsworth, which will be used for the operations of the B-21 Raider fleet.
In a herculean feat, the entire fleet of B-1B Lancers was redeployed and the last of the B-1B departed Ellsworth on January 25, 2025. The Rockwell B-1B Lancer or “Bone” will be the mainstay of America’s long-range strike bombers fleet even as the B-21 prepares to be part of the fleet.
The redeployment has been a huge logistical and operational challenge for the 34th and 37th Bomber Generation Squadrons, who have worked to ensure the fleet remains combat-ready throughout the transition.
“The mighty B-1 has been around for over 40 years, and the foundational mission remains the same: win today, dominate tomorrow,” said Maj. Andrew Feigen, commander of the 37th Bomber Generation Squadron.
Every sortie of B-1B is preceded by rigorous inspections, repairs, and servicing to keep the 40-year-old bombers mission-ready. As a result of the move, the maintenance team will now be working in the Indo-Pacific region at Andersen AFB, while others are working in the hard winter climate at Grand Forks.
“It’s a very high-paced mission from where I stand. You’re always going from one job to the next,” said Staff Sgt. Lane Benefield, a B-1 crew chief with the 37th Bomber Generation Squadron. “This allowed our team to step up into different roles, showing great flexibility from enduring the cold and being away from family and loved ones.”
As per information, a few Lancers were transported to Andersen AFB in Guam, while over 12 B-1Bs were sent to Grand Forks.
B-1B’s Legacy
The B-1B Lancer has had a significant impact over its four decades of service. Initially developed as a strategic bomber to penetrate Soviet air defenses, the B-1B was designed to deliver nuclear payloads deep into enemy territory. It entered service in 1986 and played a key role in the US’s nuclear deterrence strategy.
With the end of the Cold War, the B-1B transitioned to a conventional bombing role. Initially designed to carry nuclear weapons, the B1B Bomber played a vital role in the United States’ strategic nuclear arsenal. As part of the nuclear triad, the B1B contributed to deterrence by providing rapid response capabilities against nuclear threats.
However, its nuclear mission was officially eliminated in 1994, transitioning to a purely conventional role by 2011.
It first saw combat during Operation Desert Fox in 1998 and later in NATO’s action in Kosovo. The B-1B has supported US and NATO military forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, showcasing its versatility and adaptability to new mission requirements. The aircraft has been continuously upgraded to meet modern combat needs.
The B-1B is part of the US’s strategic deterrence missions, reinforcing the rules-based international order in regions like the Indo-Pacific. Its ability to operate from various locations provides operational resilience.
Despite the introduction of newer bombers like the B-21 Raider, the B-1B remains relevant due to continuous upgrades. These enhancements include advanced targeting pods, improved radar systems, and enhanced data link capabilities.
The B-1B can perform a wide range of missions, including close air support, strategic bombing, maritime operations, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Its massive payload capacity of up to 75,000 pounds makes it a formidable weapon system.
B-21 Raiders On Its Way
Although the U.S. Air Force has revealed that at least six B-21 “Raiders” are in various manufacturing stages, the agency has kept details about its next-generation bomber under wraps. Kathy Warden, the president and CEO of Northrop Grumman, revealed that at least one of these bombers has conducted a flying test during the past year.
The USAF and the aircraft manufacturer are discussing speeding up production timelines for the B-21 bombers. Warden said, “We would work with the Air Force to look at when those units would come into the contract, and we are accumulating more and more actual performance [data] to help inform discussions with them about the right pricing.”
As a result of Northrop and the Air Force’s negotiations, more Raiders may be able to reach operational capacity sooner. The impending arrival of additional Raiders will only assist the United States in maintaining air superiority in this field, especially in light of Beijing’s advancements in its sixth-generation bomber series.
The Raider is being constructed as an intercontinental strategic stealth bomber asset that the military desires to deliver both conventional and thermonuclear missiles. America’s main airborne component of its nuclear triad strategy will be the B-21. The Air Force expects to acquire a minimum of 100 B-21 aircraft. By 2040, the bomber is anticipated to replace the service’s Northrop B-2 Spirit and Rockwell B-1 Lancer. The Raider may eventually replace the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress.
In late 2022, the sixth-generation bomber made its initial appearance at Northrop’s Palmdale, California, production facilities. Although the stealth bomber’s precise specifications and characteristics are still under wraps, publicly available photos and videos of the aircraft suggest that the Raider’s wingspan may be around 15% less than the Spirit’s.
The Raider’s smaller airframe will make it more difficult to spot on radar. Additionally, the Raider will include modular systems that enable smooth airframe updates as new technologies become available. The fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter platform also has this capability.
