US bombers in Türkiye. These machines make a stunning impression
3:53 PM EDT, November 2, 2023
Recently, two B-1B Lancer strategic bombers belonging to the US army were sighted at the İncirlik air base in Türkiye, according to reports by IntelSky on X. This visit stands out for a very specific reason.
The planes made their appearance at the İncirlik base in southern Türkiye shortly after being seen over Romanian airspace. It's worth noting that the presence of B-1B bombers might be associated with NATO's 'Steadfast Noon' exercises, although the specific mission plan and exact aircraft deployment are yet to be publicized.
Before the end of October, these bombers had flown over a Romanian air base. James Hecker, the commander of the US Air Forces in Europe, perceived this as "a strong display of shared values and mutual alliance". This time, the B-1B continued their journey and were spotted in Türkiye, at an airbase approximately 373 miles from Gaza.
While the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron was visiting Türkiye, a "historic refueling in what's known as hot-pit mode" took place, as reported by Defence Blog. This process of refueling minimizes downtime at the base as the fuel is delivered to the plane while its engines are running. This significantly reduces service time and allows the aircraft to promptly return to the air.
A Look at the B-1B Strategic Bombers
The inaugural flight of this type of aircraft took place in 1974, showcasing the B-1A variant, which never saw mass production. However, this version was instrumental in the development of the final B-1B, which achieved full combat readiness in 1986. The last produced sample was delivered to the army shortly after in 1988.
B-1B bombers are distinctive for two reasons. Firstly, they hold the title as one of the loudest aircraft in the world. With four General Electric F101-GE-102 engines, they can generate about 145,949 lbs of engine thrust each and simultaneously produce noise levels of up to 140 dB.
Furthermore, these aircraft boast a variable geometry wing design. This implies that the wings can be adjusted to different angles, facilitating maximum range and optimal speed during flight by reducing air resistance.
The B-1B can accelerate to a supersonic speed of 1.25 Ma (approximately 807.782 mph). It reaches an altitude of up to 59,055 feet and can cover a distance of 7,457.88 miles. Consequently, the bombers, once refueled with 198,416 lbs of fuel, are capable of carrying weapons on intercontinental flights.
