TechB-1B bomber crashes during training mission at South Dakota base; crew survives harrowing ordeal

B‑1B bomber crashes during training mission at South Dakota base; crew survives harrowing ordeal

Air & Space Force Magazine reported that the accident occurred in challenging weather conditions - temperatures were below freezing, with dense fog impairing visibility. Furthermore, the B-1B bomber was alit. The extent of the damage and the bomber's potential for repair is currently unknown. According to an official communication from Ellsworth Air Force Base, the four-person crew successfully ejected from the aircraft.

The B-1B Lancer bomber lands at Fairford base.

Images source: © USAF | Airman 1st Class Emily Copeland

KMO

7:50 AM EST, January 5, 2024

The B-1B Lancer - America's long-range strategic bomber

The B-1B Lancer is a long-range strategic bomber first introduced in October 1986. Since then, these machines have experienced numerous modernizations, ensuring they preserve their effectiveness and applicability for executing precise, conventional tasks using modern US Army weapons. Despite their prowess, plans are in place to replace the whole fleet of aging B-1B bombers with new B-21 Raider bombers over the coming years; Ellsworth Air Force Base is slated to be among the first recipients.

The B-1B Lancer bombers are impressively powerful machines. At approximately 148 feet long with a maximum wingspread of just over 134 feet, these planes can ferry roughly 37 tons of weaponry in their chambers and another 30 tons of externally mounted weapons. Worth mentioning is the fact that the B-1B bombers are precluded from carrying nuclear weapons following disarmament treaties. These spacecraft can reach speeds of up to 1.25 Mach (826 mph), fly at an altitude of 18,000 meters (59,054 feet), and cover a distance of 12,000 kilometers (7,456 miles).

The machines are regularly deployed on missions such as the Bomber Task Force, which has been operational since 2018. Together with B-52H Stratofortress bombers, B-1B Lancers, and B-2A Spirits, they form an integral part of the American Strategic Command (Global Strike Command). B-1B Lancers frequently fly over Europe, participating in exercises designed to improve interoperability and readiness.