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An A-10 Thunderbolt II, from the 40th Flight Test Squadron,
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A U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancer aircraft flies behind a
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A B-1B Lancer takes off from Ellsworth Air Force Base,
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Boeing B-1B Lancer, serial # 86-0109, wearing 'Spectre'
U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Operators and Special
March 21, 2007, An EA-6B Prowler from the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VMAQ-1) sits outside a hangar on Asad Air Base, Iraq. VMAQ-1 is deployed as a part of MNF-W in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Anbar province of Iraq to develop the Iraqi Security Forces, facilitate the development of official rule of law through democratic reforms and continue the development of a market based economy centered on Iraqi reconstruction. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance CPL. Michael L. Haas) (Released)
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A crowd gathers to view the first production model B-1B aircraft during the rollout ceremony at the Rockwell International Corp. facility
A crowd gathers to view the first production model B-1B aircraft during the rollout ceremony at the Rockwell International Corp. facility
The first production model B-1B aircraft on display during the rollout ceremony at the Rockwell International facility
Distinguished guest stand on a platform next to the first production model B-1B aircraft during the rollout ceremony at the Rockwell International Corp. facility
An underside view of the nose section of the first production model B-1B aircraft on display during the rollout ceremony at the Rockwell International Corp. facility
The first production model B-1B aircraft is serviced on the flight line at the Rockwell International facility
The first production model B-1B aircraft is readied for rollout at the Rockwell International Corp. facility
The first production model B-1B aircraft is serviced on the flight line at the Rockwell International facility
The first production model B-1B aircraft is towed on the flight line at the Rockwell International Corp. facility
A crowd gathers to view the first production model B-1B aircraft during the rollout ceremony at the Rockwell International facility
Summary
The original finding aid described this photograph as:
Base: Palmdale
State: California (CA)
Country: United States Of America (USA)
Scene Camera Operator: MSGT Mike Dial
Release Status: Released to Public
Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files
B-1 Lancer is a supersonic variable-sweep wing, heavy bomber built by Rockwell and used by the United States Air Force. It is commonly called the "Bone" (from "B-One"). It is one of three strategic bombers in the U.S. Air Force fleet as of 2018, the other two being the B-2 Spirit and the B-52 Stratofortress. The B-1 was first envisioned in the 1960s as a platform that would combine the Mach 2 speed with the range and payload of the B-52. After a long series of studies, Rockwell International (now part of Boeing) won the design contest for what emerged as the B-1A. This version had a top speed of Mach 2.2 at high altitude and the capability of flying for long distances at Mach 0.85 at very low altitudes. The introduction of cruise missiles and early work on the stealth bombers led to the program being canceled in 1977. The program was restarted in 1981, largely as an interim measure due to delays in the B-2 stealth bomber program, with the B-2 eventually reaching initial operational capability in 1997. This led to a redesign as the B-1B, which differed from the B-1A by having a lower top speed at a high altitude of Mach 1.25, but improved low-altitude performance of Mach 0.96. The electronics were also extensively improved during the redesign, and the airframe was improved to allow takeoff with the maximum possible fuel and weapons load. The B-1B began deliveries in 1986 and formally entered service with Strategic Air Command (SAC) as a nuclear bomber in that same year. By 1988, all 100 aircraft had been delivered. Originally designed for nuclear capabilities, the B-1 switched to an exclusively conventional combat role in the mid-1990s.