U.S. Air Force Bombers 101

History: The B-1 was initially developed in the 1970s as a replacement for the B-52 and was in production from 1986 to 1988. Although the Air Force stopped using the B-1 as a nuclear bomber 1994, it was still equipped to handle nuclear missions and considered such until the START treaty in 2007. The B-1 was first used in 1998 operations in Iraq and later deployed in 2001 for Operation Enduring Freedom. The Lancer is still deployed to this day.

Characteristics: The B-1B carries the largest conventional payload of weapons, both guided and unguided, and is a multi-role, long-range bomber, capable of flying intercontinentally without refueling. The Lancer has undergone many modifications to improve its capabilities, including adding extremely-accurate GPS navigation systems, countermeasures to prevent electronic jamming, and highly-capable aperture radars which allows the B-1 to more accurately engage targets on the ground.

Contractor: Boeing, North America (formerly Rockwell International, North American Aircraft);

Thrust: 30,000-plus pounds with afterburner, per engine

Payload: 75,000 lbs (34,019 kg)

Speed: 900-plus mph (Mach 1.2 at sea level)

Range: Intercontinental

Crew: Four (aircraft commander, copilot, and two combat systems officers)

Initial operating capability: October 1986

Unit Cost: $317 million

Average Age: 29.1

Current Inventory: Active, 62; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0

History: The first B-2 Spirit was delivered in 1993 and has been a highly-classified program ever since. B-2 aircraft have been involved in both Operation Allied Force, the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999, Operation Enduring Freedom from 2001 to 2004, and Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003 to 2011. The B-2 has low-observable, or ‘stealth,’ capabilities which allow the aircraft to penetrate anti-access area denial (A2/AD) zones.

Characteristics: The B-2 Spirit is both a conventional and nuclear-capable multirole bomber. The Spirit is extremely recognizable by its unique tailless shape, which minimizes its Radar Cross Section, allowing the aircraft to have unparalleled stealth capabilities. Other electromagnetic, acoustic, and reduced-infrared capabilities enhance the low-observable aircraft.

Contractor: Northrop Grumman Corporation

Thrust: 17,300 pounds each engine

Payload: 40,000 pounds (18,144 kilograms)

Speed: high subsonic

Range: intercontinental (unrefueled: approximately 6,000 nautical miles (9,600 kilometers)

Crew: two pilots

Initial operating capability: April 1997

Unit Cost: Approx. $1.157 billion in fiscal year 1998 dollars

Average Age: 22.2

Current Inventory: Active, 20; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0

About: The B-21 Raider is the U.S. Air Force’s next generation bomber. The contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman in 2015 and the company is still in the very beginnings of development and prototyping. The Air Force expects to field the aircraft in the mid 2020’s.

History:

The B-52 Stratofortress have been the backbone of the U.S. Air Force’s bomber fleet for decades. The aircraft first flew in 1954 and were in production until 1962. Since then, the aircraft has been involved in multiple operations, including Operation Desert Storm and delivered almost 40 percent of all weapons dropped by coalition forces during that conflict.

Characteristics: The B-52 is a long-range heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions which include strategic attack, close-air support, air interdiction, offensive counter-air and maritime operations, and surveillance. There have been many iterations of the B-52 and even more modernizations and upgrades to the aircraft. With aerial refueling, the B-52 has a range only limited by the endurance of its crew.

Contractor: The Boeing Company

Thrust: each engine up to 17,000 pounds

Payload: 70,000 pounds (31,500 kilograms)

Speed: 650 miles per hour (Mach 0.84)

Range: 8,800 miles (7,652 nautical miles)

Crew: five (aircraft commander, pilot, radar navigator, navigator, and electronic warfare officer)

Initial operating capability: April 1952

Unit Cost: $84 million (fiscal year 2012 dollars)

Average Age: 54.8

Current Inventory: Active, 58; ANG, 0; Reserve, 18