In South Dakota, a B-1B Lancer strategic bomber capable of carrying nuclear-capable missiles crashed while landing at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
The base command reported that the crash occurred during a training flight. The weather was bad and it was freezing. The crew of four soldiers managed to eject, no one was injured. The air base was closed for flights, and an investigation is underway.
The B-1B modification entered service with the United States in late 1986. In the United States, 100 such aircraft were built, 44 of which are still in service. They were designed as nuclear missile carriers, but under agreements with Moscow to reduce strategic offensive weapons, they were modernized for other purposes. They have not lost their ability to carry nuclear weapons.
The price of one B-1B in 1998 exceeded $283 million, and now it is even higher.
