B-1B Squadrons

Mission — B-1B Modernization source

The B-1B Lancer is a swing-wing, supersonic, long-range conventional bomber. It carries the largest payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the AF inventory. The multi-mission B-1B is the backbone of America's long-range conventional bomber force and can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision (and non-precision) weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time. The B-1B modernization projects alleviate aircraft obsolescence issues due to Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) while at the same time providing improved capabilities to the B-1B weapon system that require significant hardware and software development and testing. RADIO-CRYPTO MODERNIZATION: The B-1B Radio Crypto program originates from JROCM 040-11, VACM Cease Key CED-026-11, UHF SATCOM (Ultra-High Frequency Satellite Communication) Decommission and Cease Key for Demand Assigned Multi Access (DAMA) Orderwire, HAVE QUICK II Cease use date, and DoD CIO Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) transition directive. If the requirements/directives are not met, B-1B will lose its secure line of sight, beyond line of sight, and anti-jam communication with ground and air forces. The initiative will replace the existing ARC-210 (Gen 3/4) with ARC-210 (Gen 6) next generation radios. Additionally, the program will provide MUOS Satellite Communication capability that supports the DoD Chief Information Officer (CIO) directive to move all DoD assets to MUOS constellation (70% by FY26). This effort will lay in Ethernet cable required by MUOS Data (J-REAP C), install MUOS ancillaries High Power Amplifier/Low Noise Amplifier (HPA/LNA) and additional software to execute MUOS capability on the aircraft. The B-1B Radio Crypto program received an updated Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) in March 2023 approving an updated acquisition strategy that combined the program increments into one technical baseline and accelerated the schedule. A further updated ADM signed January 2024 accelerated the full production lot buys. Preliminary Design Review (PDR) was completed in Q4 FY23, Critical Design Review (CDR) approval was completed Q1 FY24, and Ground / Flight Testing is currently ongoing and is expected to conclude Q3 FY25. EXTERNAL HEAVY-STORES PYLON: This is a FY26 New Start. External Heavy-Stores Pylon program expands on the accomplishments of the Hypersonic Integration Program, a Congressional Add, by providing increased carriage capacity of standoff munition on B-1B aircraft. Maximum carriage of existing standoff munitions on the B-1B provides near-term increased volume of fires from standoff ranges and serves to mitigate transition risk of the Air Force bomber fleet prior to the emergence of the B-21 as a combat bomber. - HYPERSONIC INTEGRATION: -- The FY22 and FY23 Conference Appropriations, detailed in the Congressional Conference Reports of Interest, added 20.0M (10.0M in FY22 and 10.0M in FY23) RTD&E appropriation for B-1B hypersonic weapon integration. This funding developed an external carry-enabled testbed facilitating rapid integration of priority hypersonic weapons in support of national security objectives, leading to potential investment opportunities for weapon programs. This program provides an opportunity to significantly reduce risk for an operational external carry capability on the B-1B if directed. The Hypersonic Integration Program successfully demonstrated the B-1's ability to execute a captive carry of a 5,000-pound class store and the release of a proven weapon shape from a Load Adaptable Modular (LAM) pylon. LONG-RANGE ANTI-SHIP MISSILE (LRASM) C-3 INTEGRATION: This is a FY26 New Start. The Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) C-3 is increment 1 of the Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) weapon development program. LRASM (AGM-158C-3) addresses an air-launch capability gap by providing flexible, long-range, advanced, anti-surface capability against high-threat maritime targets. The LRASM AGM-158C-3 variant will be a forward fit Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) to the AGM-158C, to enhance long range strike and existing OASuW capability. Beginning in FY26 through the outyears, the USAF will procure AGM-158C-3 missiles only until the missile inventory objective is met. The first USAF LRASM C-3 missile deliveries are targeted in Q4 CY27. LRASM is highly leveraged on the design of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER, AGM-158B). LRASM and JASSM-ER have over 70% hardware commonality and share the same production assembly line. The USN is the lead service for the LRASM program, and the B-1 is a threshold platform. The USAF and USN jointly procure LRASMs via a USAF contract that benefits from cost savings when aligned with JASSM-ER procurements. B-1B HYBRID SATCOM: This is a FY26 New Start. Hybrid-SATCOM provides resilient pLEO in contested environments. INDOPACOM has an urgent requirement to interface and exchange classified data with B-1 in support of INDOPACOM activities in CY26. Securing alternate network connectivity and pathways will restore long-range integration capability and increase combat effectiveness through a modern, resilient, and reliable construct. Without this capability, there is a risk of isolating combat air forces from the Air Operations Center and the Combatant Commander. B-1B TEST JET MAINTENANCE (MX): This is a FY26 New Start. The B-1B AFMC Test Jet maintenance project will provide funding for the test aircraft, manpower, and facilities at the Air Force Test Center located at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), California. This will support the developmental testing and sustainment needs of the B-1B weapon system. It funds support for maintenance activities for test aircraft, which is performed at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. Funds also support analysis, documentation, and related activities necessary to establish a program of record and support the B-1B weapon system. Additionally, other costs include Program Management Administration (PMA) and centralized support as well as initiatives for anticipated weapon system enhancements (to include efforts to improve weapon system operational capabilities, safety, supportability, maintainability, reliability, digital engineering and total cost of ownership). GAP AND INTEGRATION ANALYSIS: Program funds cover engineering/planning studies, related engineering efforts, and the auxiliary equipment needed for development projects that have not yet been fielded. Funds may be used to resolve emerging safety of flight and DMSMS issues, accommodate technology insertion, and fulfill FAA (or other) mandates necessary to ensure continued aircrew safety and mission effectiveness. Costs include PMA costs, total ownership cost, as well as initiatives for anticipated weapon system enhancements (to include efforts for improving weapon system operational capabilities, safety, supportability, maintainability, reliability, digital engineering and total cost of ownership). B-1B funding also supports innovation activities to include studies, analyses, requirements definition, digital engineering initiatives and quick-reaction capability prototypes/demonstrations to accelerate planning for technology transition, technology insertion, and future acquisition programs. Funds may be used to resolve emerging safety of flight and DMSMS accommodating technology insertion and fulfilling FAA or other mandates necessary to ensure continued aircrew safety and mission effectiveness. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. In FY 2024 1.4 million was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 0.8 million is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (5)