-The B-1 has been deemed the ‘backbone of America’s long-range bomber force.’
-It can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any target, anywhere in the world.
-The first production B-1 flew in October 1984, and the first B-1B was delivered to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, in June 1985.
The final B-1B was delivered May 2, 1988.
-The United States removed the B-1’s nuclear capabilities in 1994.
-The B-1B’s predecessor, the B-1A, was initially developed in the 1970s as a replacement for the B-52 bomber.
-The B-1B holds almost 50 world records for speed, payload, range, and time of climb in its class, with its most recent records were made official in 2004.
-It can reach speeds of more than 900mph, traveling Mach 1.2 at sea level.
-It is crewed by an aircraft commander, copilot and two combat systems officers.
-Each B-1B costs $317million.
-There are 62 B-1B bombers in the active force, with two as test planes.
US Air Force