The Boeing (formerly Rockwell) B-1B Lancer is not one of those planes we get to see or hear something about on a daily basis. The supersonic heavy bomber is somewhat of a discreet presence for the general population but a frightening one for America’s enemies.
US Air Force/Paul Shirk
The B-1B bomber Spectre retired to become an advanced maintenance trainer at Tinker Air Force Base.
The bomber was involved in a May 2018 incident in which a fire led to an ejection seat misfire, after which the crew had to make an emergency landing.
The US Air Force disclosed a few days ago that, in early April, the B-1B Lancer 86-109/DY, nicknamed Spectre, has been retired at Tinker Air Force Base to become an advanced maintenance trainer.
The aircraft was towed to an Aircraft Battle Damage Repair training pad at the 76th Maintenance Group s Expeditionary Depot Maintenance Flight on the south side of the base, where it joined a B-52 Stratofortress and a C-135 Stratolifter.
US Air Force/Airman Jonah Fronk
The Air Force is divesting B-1B bombers, aiming to retire the fleet by the end of the 2030s.
The bombers are considered the workhorse of the Air Force today.
At least one of the outgoing bombers will find new life as a lab to help keep other B-1s flying.
In February, the Air Force announced that it will begin retiring the B-1B Lancer from service by divesting 17 bombers from the fleet of 62.
The divestment is being done to cut costs, streamline modernization and maintenance for other aircraft, and prepare for the introduction of the Air Force s future B-21 Raider bomber.
Don t You Dare Call the B-1B Lancer a Nuclear Bomber
In recent years, the Air Force has continued to upgrade and update the aging warbird – and the plan is for the B-1 fleet to remain in service well into the 2030s when the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider enters service.
The United States Air Force has tested ways that the Cold War-era Boeing B-1B Lancer could be used to carry hypersonic weapons externally. External pylons were originally designed for use on the B-1s but were later scrapped to comply with the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). Recently the Air Force has taken the opinion that the return to the use of external hardpoints would not violate the New START agreement.