I saw the History channel special about Dogfights of the Future and one engagement had two B-1Rs engaging a huge group of Su-30MKI fighters.

The B-1Rs were beamed targeting data for the enemy squad by the F-22s. The B-1Rs then released a huge salvo of externally mounted AMRAAMs, taking out several Su-30s.
What I'm wondering is how plausible a B-1R upgrade is.

I'd like to see it, honestly. It's like an aerial bomb truck for large engagements.
However, I don't see any point in which we'd have to go up against huge amounts of fighters at once, given the countries we're fighting now, but the possibility isn't out of the question. I think a B-1 upgrade would be perfect for getting rid of older B-52s. New ECCM suites, larger bomb capacity (external mounts), avionics to be able to conduct electronic warfare and massive air to air launches would be very useful. We'd get some good bang for our buck out of the B-1.



Oh, and has anyone noticed the nice little joke in the B-1R's name?

B-1 = BONE.
B-1R = BONER.


Sorry, I know it's a little juvenile of me, but you just can't make this stuff up.

This was also something that I was surprised to see, and was just about the only weapon in the entire (awesome x16123400) episode that I had never even heard of before.

What I liked about how it was portrayed is not only was it's vast potentional has an Air-to-Air asset demonstrated, but also the fact that it is still an older generation of aircraft, and is vulnerable to the right weapons.

P.S. It shoots and ripples very fast and quick. If you are referring to a sexual joke, thats not a good thing.

I'd like to see one in the US airforce.

I'll point you to Dyess.

We would certainly welcome it if the Air Force could get the funding.

It almost sounds like the Air Force has been reading too much Dale Brown...

The only thing that I don't like about the B-1R is that they cut the range down to 4000 miles. The B-1B's most useful feature is its 6000+ mile range. But, I suppose, if they want the external pylons and such, they can't give it the range of a strategic bomber, by treaty stipulations.

This post has been edited by Spartan 120: May 11 2008, 11:35 AM

Id like to see the B-1R it looks awesome. So does those beam weapons and the scramjets.

Ha! The jokes funny i dont care what people say.

That was a pretty good 2-hour special. I had no idea they we're going to implement the HMD into the
F-22. I thought it was only for the F-35.....And that Scramjet segment.....EPIC WIN!!!!!!11111one!!!11!!

We have the B-52H and B-2A to go that distance. It was pretty much a given that if the B-1A had reached production that it wouldn't have the range of it's redesigned B-1B brother.

Plus, the B-1R wouldn't need the extreme range of its bomber bretheren. As a missileer, it would actually have extremely good range.

I loved the show's YAL-1 attack (I know they were 767s, but I'm using the designation for the 747 version).

This post has been edited by Blak110: May 12 2008, 11:51 AM

The thing is that the B-1B's enormous range isn't being used to hit particualrly distant targets, it's being used to loiter overhead for upwards of twelve hours as a flying artillery platform.

I watched it too the B-1Rs were amazing I freaked when i saw they were carrying AIM-120Ds

Since the B-1R is not using its internal bomb bays it could be filled with life giving go-go juice and or more avionic systems.

Actually, the concept I read is that it would in fact carry bombs in its internal bays, acting as multirole platform.
The whole thing is, it's range is reduced, becoming a regional asset. Still, it carries enough fuel that it could simply run away from any bad situation.


Justin
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I like the concept but it seems like one of those programs thats gunna get cancelled. I don't know why i just get that felling.