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By: - 17th January 2001 at 23:10 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: "Bones" in service
B-1B's are stationed at Dyess AFB (active duty), Mountain Home AFB (active duty), Robbins AFB (Air National Guard), McConnell AFB (ANG), and Ellsworth AFB (Active). Here at McConnell we have 8 aircraft I believe, although I have yet to see that many on the flightline.
By: - 18th January 2001 at 08:15 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: "Bones" in service
Total number of USAF B-1Bs available is 93. I believe 80 of those are split between the wings described in message 1. The rest is operational reserve or reserved for testing I think.
Ference.
By: - 18th January 2001 at 11:17 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
CALCM capability??
I have a question about the B-1B:
Can it carry/launch the CALCM cruise missile????
Most articles mention CALCM as part of the B-1B's armament. But one article in Combat Aircraft magazine said that the B-1B is unable to carry CALCM. That one said that the B-1B needed bomb bay modifications to carry the CALCM (internally), which was not allowed because of START. I wonder do other articles mention CALCM automatically because the B-1B could carry the nuclear ALCM??? Is CA mag right??
If so, wouldn't it be important to start CALCM integration now that START doesn't apply to the B-1B anymore (B-1Bs lost their nuclear role recently!). I've read which convential weapons will be integrated during the CMUP programme, CALCM wasn't on that list. Is that so because CALCM is already avialable for the B-1B (and that CA mag is wrong)??? Or that the USAF doesn't think it important enough to integrate CALCM on the B-1B (which isn't smart IMHO)???
Can anybody clarify matters for me, please??
Best regards,
Ference.
By: - 18th January 2001 at 23:29 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: CALCM capability??
One of my fun jobs here at McConnell is to escort the Russian START team if/when we get picked for inspection. All ANG B-1B's have had their external hardpoints welded over and have the forward weapon bay bulkhead locked in the center position. This means the aircraft cannot carry the AGM-86B/C, and is one of the things the inspectors check for. Don't know about the active duty aircraft.
By: - 24th January 2001 at 13:06 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: CALCM capability??
In the past, it was not allowed to remove these weldings and to do bomb bay mods, because of START. But now the B-1B is a convential bomber only (at least officially), so START doesn't apply anymore (or does it??!!). So they could make those mods, especially the CALCM capability would be nice to have.
Ference.
P.S. I'm not sure about my remark about START. Does anybody know??
By: Anonymous (not verified) - 17th January 2001 at 19:31
Can any body out there answer my question? How many B1B Lancer's are currently in service, and any info on B1B squardrons (e.g. squadron size, pilots, current location etc...) would be most welcome.
Thanks