Joint air exercises send strong message to North Korea
The United States, South Korea, and Japan conducted joint air maneuvers involving B-1B bombers, F-15K, and F-2 fighters. The exercises were a response to North Korea's recent launch of hypersonic and ballistic missiles. According to the Bulgarian Military service, they served as a show of strength and a message to Kim Jong Un.
The exercises, which took place on Wednesday, January 15, involved American B-1B bombers, South Korean F-15K fighters, and Japanese F-2 fighters. These maneuvers were part of efforts to strengthen regional security and readiness in response to emerging threats from North Korea.
B-1B bombers - an element of the US deterrence strategy
B-1B bombers play a crucial role in the deterrence strategy of the United States and its allies in the Pacific region. Introduced into service in October 1986, these long-range strategic bombers have undergone numerous upgrades to ensure their capability to carry out precise operations using modern US military weaponry.
B-1B bombers have played a significant role in numerous armed conflicts, including operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the former Yugoslavia. It is worth noting, however, that in the coming years, the aging B-1B bomber fleet will be replaced by new B-21 Raider stealth bombers.
The B-1B Lancer is an aircraft designed by Rockwell International and currently produced by Boeing. It features variable-sweep wings that optimize performance in different flight phases. The wingspan ranges from about 78 feet when fully swept to 137 feet when fully extended.
Thanks to four General Electric F101-GE-102 engines, the bomber reaches a maximum speed of around Mach 1.25 at high altitudes. However, its main advantage is its ability to fly at high speeds at low altitudes, which allows it to effectively evade enemy air defense systems.
The aircraft has a range of approximately 7,500 miles without aerial refueling, making it ideal for long-range missions. The B-1B also has the capability for in-flight refueling. The bomber can carry up to 125,000 pounds of armaments, including conventional bombs and precision-guided munitions. Its arsenal includes JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) bombs and JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile).
Notably, the B-1B Lancer no longer serves as a nuclear weapons carrier, a role discontinued under international agreements. The focInstead, the focus is on its capabilities for conducting precise conventional strikes.
