B-1 Lancer News
2014
8 October 2014 | ACC
First SB-16 upgraded B-1B flight by operational squadron
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Aircrew from 7th Bomb Wing flying squadrons took part in the first flight of a B-1B Lancer upgraded with the Sustainment-Block 16 upgrade outside of operational testing, here Oct. 2. A pilot and weapons system officer from the 9th Bomb Squadron were joined by aircrew members from the 337th Test and Evaluations Squadron, who provided oversight and information on the new system during the milestone flight.
21 July 2014 | ACC
First look at upgraded B-1s
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- For the first time students from the US Air Force Weapons School got to fly with the newly upgraded Sustainment Block-16 B-1B Lancer during the student's Integration Phase (IT) at Nellis AFB, Nev.
25 January 2014 | ACC
Dyess receives first operational IBS-upgraded B-1
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The first operational B-1B Lancer with the Integrated Battle Station upgrade, landed here Jan. 21 with a ceremony celebrating its arrival Jan. 24. The IBS is a combination of three different upgrades, which include a Fully Integrated Data Link, a Vertical Situation Display Upgrade and a Central Integrated System Upgrade.
22 January 2014 | Boeing
USAF Receives First B-1 Equipped with Boeing Integrated Battle Station
The U.S. Air Force on Jan. 21 received the first B-1 bomber upgraded with the Boeing Integrated Battle Station: addition of full color displays, moving maps and a new diagnostics system.
15 January 2014 | ACC
337th TES assures JASSM-ER carriage capability
The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron has recently completed a captive carriage exercise with a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range to verify the weapon's ability to maintain functionality after being carried for close to 100 total flight hours over several sorties with one single missile. The JASSM-ER is an autonomous, long-range, air-to-ground, precision missile employed solely by the B-1B Lancer. "The JASSM-ER is built on the same platform as the baseline JASSM..."
6 January 2014 | USAF News
B-1B accident report released
A displaced fold-down baffle in the left overwing fairing of a B-1B Lancer led to a fuel leak and a series of detonations that disabled the aircraft prior to it crashing Aug. 19, 2013, near Broadus, Montana, according to an Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report released Dec. 30, 2013. The four crewmembers ejected safely and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The aircraft was destroyed, with the government loss valued at approximately $317.7 million. There were no injuries to civilians, and damage to private property consisted of burnt pasture land.
2013
27 September 2013 | ACC
B-1 conducts first live-fire test of anti-ship missile
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A B-1B Lancer successfully struck a waterborne target with a live warhead for the first time Aug. 27. The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron completed their first of three scheduled live-fire tests of a Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, or LRASM, on-board a B-1.
18 July 2013 | ACC
Pilot logs record 5,000 hours in B-1B Lancer
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- After a 19-hour flight from Southwest Asia, July 15 will be forever marked as the day Lt. Col. Timothy Schepper, 28th Operations Group senior evaluator and B-1 bomber pilot, became the first ever B-1 pilot to achieve 5,000 flying hours in the airframe. The record puts him nearly 1,800 hours ahead of any competition at Ellsworth, and nearly 800 hours ahead of all other B-1 pilots.
15 July 2013 | USAF News
B-1 test squadron demonstrates LRASM anti-ship missile
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron successfully completed their first captive carry test of a Long Range Anti-Ship Missile on-board a B-1 Bomber June 17, marking a significant step forward toward the B-1's role in the maritime environment. Designed and developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Office of Naval Research, the LRASM is based off the Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range and was constructed as part of an effort to overcome challenges faced by current anti-ship missiles penetrating sophisticated enemy air defense systems.
29 January 2013 | ACC
337th TES gears up for largest B-1 modification
The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron is gearing up for the largest B-1 modification in program history, as part of the Integrated Battle Station and Sustainment-Block 16 upgrade. Sustainment-Block 16, or SB-16, includes significant upgrades to the B-1, including the Fully Integrated Data Link and Central Integrated Test System in the aft station and the Vertical Situation Display Upgrade in the front station. Included under the umbrella of SB-16, the B-1 will also receive navigation, radar and diagnostic upgrades.
2012
1 August 2012 | ACC
7th BW returns from largest B-1 deployment in last decade
More than 400 Airmen returned from Southwest Asia July 25 and 26 to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, after being deployed six months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The deployment marked the largest B-1 Bomber deployment of aircraft and personnel in the last 10 years.
20 July 2012 | Boeing
Boeing Receives Lot 2 Production Contract Award for B-1 Integrated Battle Station
Boeing has received a Lot 2 follow-on contract from the U.S. Air Force for nine B-1 Lancer bomber Integrated Battle Station (IBS) modification kits. IBS integrates three major aircraft modifications -- an updated front and aft cockpit, a new diagnostics system and a new Link 16 data link -- which all enhance situational awareness and communications for the crew.
2 June 2012 | USAF News
New upgrades revitalize B-1B Lancers
B-1B Lancers are currently undergoing the most advanced hardware and software upgrades to date as part of the Sustainment-Block 16 program. Sustainment-Block 16 upgrades include a fully integrated data link in the aft station and vertical situation display upgrade in the front station as well as updates to navigation, radar and diagnostic systems.
9 April 2012 | Boeing
Boeing to Upgrade B-1 Navigation System for US Air Force
B-1 bomber fleet to receive new ring laser gyro system
29 February 2012 | DefenseNews.com
Schwartz Defends Cost of USAF's Next-Gen Bomber
The U.S. Air Force’s next-generation bomber comes with a hefty price tag: $550 million per aircraft — and that assumes no cost overruns similar to those plaguing the F-22 and F-35 fighter programs.
27 February 2012 | Boeing
B-1 Bomber Completes 10,000th Combat Mission
The heavy bomber entered service with the U.S. Air Force on June 29, 1985, and has been in nearly continuous combat for the past 10 years. The milestone mission took off from a base in Southwest Asia and was flown in support of operations over Afghanistan before returning to base.
8 February 2012 | ACC
RMIP upgrade key to B-1 longevity
The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron recently completed tests on the B-1's radar Reliability and Maintainability Improvement Program, providing B-1 combat forces with an updated offensive radar system.
2011
13 December 2011 | ACC
SB-14B adds versatility to B-1
The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron completed tests on the Sustainment Block-14B/Laptop Controlled Targeting Pod Phase II upgrade to a B-1 Bomber, allowing seamless integration of the GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition increasing the B-1's ability to attack moving targets.
31 October 2011 | Boeing
Boeing Receives Contract to Upgrade B-1 Bomber Avionics Software
US Air Force contract authorizes start of work on Sustainment Block 16A
16 September 2011 | ACC
337 TES tests B-1 maritime readiness
As the sun began to rise across the horizon Sept. 15, the 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron embarked on a first-ever test of a B-1 Bomber's maritime capabilities with laser-guided weaponry at a testing range in the Gulf of Mexico. ...
2006
22 April 2006 | MILAVIA News
B-1B Bomber Radar Upgrade
Under a $180 million contract Boeing will upgrade AN/APQ-164 fire control radar on the U.S. Air Force's fleet of 67 B-1B long-range bomber aircraft.
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