American modified B-1B Lancer bomber takes to the skies for the first time
The modified B-1B Lancer bomber has made its maiden flight – the updated aircraft, which is in service with the 7th Bombardment Wing, took to the skies for the first time on September 8 this year, while the news of the event was announced in early October.
This is an aircraft that has received a number of different upgrades as part of the US Air Force’s program to modernize its fleet of B-1B Lancer bombers.
The bomber’s upgrades include a modernized friend-or-foe system, Link 16 data exchange system, modified communication and avionics systems, data storage to handle larger amounts of information, which is important for today’s battlefield, and more.
This modernization, which was carried out as part of the B-1 Embracing Agile Scheduling Team (BEAST) program, should facilitate the work of the bomber crew, which will be able to focus on the combat use of the aircraft, said Colonel Dan Alford. “BEAST significantly enhances the combat capabilities of the B-1B,” he notes.
According to Joshua Pope, commander of the 7th Maintenance Group, BEAST “combines several different updates into a software package,” which allows for a streamlined process of updating the bomber’s systems.
Another important detail is that the modernization of one B-1B Lancer bomber today takes 22 days, so thanks to BEAST, the process of updating the aircraft is reduced by two years. It is noted that over the next two years, they plan to modernize another 22 aircraft. In general, the BEAST program should extend the “life and lethality” of B-1B Lancer bombers until at least 2040.
In August of this year, it was reported that the US Air Force had adjusted its 2018 plan and abandoned the idea of retiring B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers in the early 2030s.
According to the new plan, the same B-1 Lancer will remain in service until it is replaced by a new sixth-generation B-21 Raider aircraft, which is scheduled to make its maiden flight by the end of this year.
