[Yang Nak-gyu's Defense Club] Strategic Bomber B1-B Known as the Death Swan

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The United States' long-range strategic bomber B1-B 'Lancer' is counted among the three major strategic bombers along with the B-52 'Stratofortress' and B-2 'Spirit.'

Currently, the 62 B1-B bombers completed fatigue testing on the airframe and wings in 2017, and have also finished the life extension work on the F-101 engines installed on these bombers. Through this life extension work, the U.S. Air Force expects to operate the B1-B bombers until 2050. Additionally, through performance upgrades, the B-52H is planned to be operated until 2045, and the B-2 until 2050.

The U.S. Air Force decided to extend the lifespan of the B1-B bomber because it carries the largest amount of guided and unguided munitions among its bombers. It is an excellent model for missions requiring the deployment of a large volume of bombs in a single sortie. Nicknamed the "Death Swan" due to its swan-like shape, the B-1B carries more bombs than the B-52 and B-2, with an internal payload capacity of 34 tons and an external payload including wings of 27 tons.

The B1-B bomber can carry 24 MK-84 bombs weighing 2,000 pounds (907.1 kg) each, 84 MK-82 bombs weighing 500 pounds (226.7 kg) each, and 24 GBU-31 guided bombs weighing 2,000 pounds each. Notably, its maximum speed is Mach 1.2, faster than the B-52 (957 km/h) and B-2 (Mach 0.9), allowing it to take off from Guam and reach the Korean Peninsula within two hours in case of emergency. Despite its enormous bomb load, it is capable of low-altitude penetration at 60 meters.

The B-52 was developed during the Cold War in the 1950s as a strategic weapon to retaliate against the Soviet Union, which threatened with nuclear attacks. The B-52 bomber can carry up to 24 bombs weighing 2,000 pounds (about 1 ton) each, capable of destroying enemy underground facilities. During the Vietnam War, it flew 729 missions, dropping more than 15,000 tons of bombs. Military experts argue that in a crisis on the Korean Peninsula, bombers could directly deploy from the U.S. mainland. The B-2 bombers stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri flew over the Korean Peninsula in March 2013, amid heightened tensions following North Korea's third nuclear test, and dropped training bombs at the Jikdo firing range off Gunsan.

According to U.S. media, the operating cost per flight hour (OCPFH) of the B1-B strategic bomber reaches $95,758 (approximately 108.6 million KRW). Deploying one B1-B strategic bomber to the Korean Peninsula would cost $1,244,854.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.