066 - B-1 Lancer

Bomber Month marches on with the former Rockwell (now Boeing) B-1 Lancer.

This week, retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel Chris Wachter joins us to talk about the bomber canceled by one president but reinstated by another in a role quite different from what was originally intended. The "Bone," which in many ways is unlike any other bomber--such as swing-wings and afterburning engines--remains a vital part of the U.S. arsenal employing a wide array of weapons in a host of missions.

Episode artwork adapted by Janek Krause. Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell. This episode was produced by our friends at The MuscleCar Place Podcast Network.

Here is a link to the article regarding a "Bomber for the U.S. Navy:"

[GoldPicard]

For those who don't know, when Wacky mentions AAMRAAMs he is directly talking about the B-1R a potential conversion for it to turn the B-1 into a big 40+( you don't know how many they could carry internally) missle carrying platform that can down entire formations of fighters by itself with either it's own radar or being data-linked the info from the strike package.

[samivwow]

This one is one of my favorite, a lot of detail. "Wacky" is a good talker as well !

[johnv.]

Nice interview. Was a fourth class cadet when Wacky was a Firstie in my squadron, then flew with him with the T-Birds, great smart guy to fly with.

[georgeburns]

One of the best interviews ever. I’d give this pilot a ten for info and personality

[tacoenvy]

Absolutely LOVE the B-1. I’ll never forget seeing one finally at an air show in 1993 and fell in love with it!

[mrwedge]

I know this podcast is a year old but I'd like to thank the colonel for his service. And to give kudos to him and the B-1. I saw the B-1 fly at the Hillsboro air show .What it did on the last day of the show was every bit the same as any of the jet fighters. I believe it's revival is the reason why the ussr decided to capitulate the cold war. Having seen it fly if it was nuke capable and had guns it could dogfight. Thank you Col. Wachter for your service.

[LRRPFco]

My dad was on B-1B Combined Test Force when we got back from West Germany in 1982 when they had 2 of the original 4 B-1A ships in the renewed B-1B test program. Doug Benefield was the Rockwell chief test pilot and died after a capsule ejection and impact with the ground in August of 1984.

[teddyd]

B1 Lancer, I love this aircraft from the swing wigs and her slick lines to low altitude high-speed flights.

[MongooseTacticool]

Two B1's flew over my son and I this year whilst we were in the park. :) Very, very unusual for my part of the UK! Always impressive.

[jamesbower]

My fondest memory of the B-1 is when one came to my unit's aid in RC east Afghanistan and I got to hear my first sonic boom with that big bad flying bone going, and ill always remember the call over the radio to our PL. "Coming in 800 feet off the deck, from the east for a Mach 1 show of force, 10 seconds." Best fucking thing I've ever seen and heard in my life. I love that bird.

[allenhuff]

My favorite episode so far! Wacky is a complete expert and terrific ambassador of the B-one community.

[christophermailloux]

I've always had a wish to fly this thing. It must be incredible to fly a bomber that feels like a massive fighter.

[kennethkatz]

Excellent, excellent episode by Vincent and Chris, in every way.

Two picky points, from back in the early days of B-1B flight test when I was at Edwards AFB down the ramp from the B-1B CTF.
1. The B-1A were never converted to B-1B's, but two of the four B-1As were modified to have some of the components and systems of the B-1B, and used for test until the actual B-1Bs were available. One of those modified B-1As crashed.
2. The external hard points on the B-1B were for ALCM and ACM, not SRAM. They were never deployed operationally.

[acouch]

I can remember when I was a kid living in Wichita, KS and these guys were stationed at McConnell AFB. They would do an "Afterburner" night maybe once a month and the AFB fence was just lined with people watching these guys take off with full burners. Ever since those days, I've loved the B-1. Granted, it might have been those days that gave me tinnitus, but it was worth it!

[jaynicew]

Love this Jet!! My Favorite After the Tomcat!! Thank you for this!!🔥💯

[markcorchado]

I worked in mission planning for the 34th Bomb Squadron (Thunderbirds) when they were part of the 366th Composite Wing at Mountain Home AFB, ID (1996-2000). It was a great four years. As a 3CO, I cut the DTUCs for many Thunder Power and Global Power missions. We eventually transitioned mission planning to desktop PCs and that put me out of a job.

[-RudeSeagull-]

Amazing podcast, i always loved the B-1 and now i love it even more.

[cbzgn]

Fighter pilots make movies. Bomber pilots make history.

[canadianpatriot]

Podcasts on some of the WW2 fighters like the Spitfire, Hurricane, Mustang, Thunderbolt, lighting, or naval fighters like the corsair or hellcat would be amazing. Just discovered this podcast and love it

[jeffking]

I was stationed at Ellsworth AFB from September 1985 until April 1994. The BONE went off Nuclear Alert in late 1991. Several of us Munitions Maintenance Dawgs talked about using the Rotary Launcher back to Desert Storm (1990-91). We even told “leadership” to make the SRAM (AGM-69A) a conventional munition. The B-61 bomb “body” was close to the Mk 84 or JDAM variant. The BONE can deliver as much ordnance as six (6) F-16Cs for less cost ($62, 000 per hour vs. 6 x $25, 000 per hour).

I now work the F-22 Raptor Program as an Engineer. I have worked on the AGM-69A, AGM-86B, FB-111A, B-52G/H, B-2A, and F-35A programs in various capacities. Yes! The B-1B should be able to launch AIM-120C/Ds or a new AIM-54 Phoenix.