U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer upgrade will triple payload

[Someoneforyou]

B-1B Lancer upgrade will triple payload
UNITED STATES - 11 APRIL 2011

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Airmen from the 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron began their first phase of demonstrations of a multiple ejector rack on a B-1B Lancer here March 22.

If fielded, 16-carry modified rotary launchers will increase the number of 500-pound joint direct attack munitions and laser-guided JDAMs carried by the B-1B from 15 to 48, a 320 percent increase in capability.

"Currently a B-1 can deliver twice the payload of a B-52 (Stratofortress), meaning, theoretically, with the MER upgrade, one B-1 will be able to deliver the same amount of payload as four B-52s," said Col. Gerald Goodfellow, the 7th Operations Group commander.

Also, the MER has a mixed-load capability, meaning each bomb bay can hold an assortment of joint air-to-surface stand-off missiles, and both 2,000-pound and 500-pound JDAMs, giving the aircrew much greater flexibility during combat missions.

"The war we are in requires target specific weaponry that is capable of destroying a single room of a building," said Tech Sgt. David Koscienski, the 337th TES weapons suitability NCO in charge. "With the addition of the MER, B-1 operators have the ability to conduct numerous individual attacks and massive air-strikes as needed, without needing to stop to reload."

Aircrews from the 337th TES and 419th Flight Test Squadron from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., flew a Dyess AFB B-1B equipped with a MER and successfully released two inert 500-pound JDAMs over China Lake Missile Range, Calif, March 22. An additional mission was also successfully flown March 24 to test drop the weapons again.

"The B-1 is absolutely a choice war-fighting platform considering it can carry multiple weapons, each with specific capabilities, and deploy those weapons at a moment's notice," Sergeant Koscienski said. "The adaptation of the MER, along with the sniper pod and laser-guided JDAMS, will only increase that same lethal capability to an even greater level."

The purpose of the 16-carry demonstration program is to validate the release and safe separation of 500-pound class weapons from a modified B-1B rotary launcher.

"This upgrade will not only save the Air Force money, but will also put less of our Airmen at risk; and that is our main priority," Colonel Goodfellow said.

An assortment of 500-pound and 2,000-pound joint-direct-attack munitions are connected to a multiple ejector rack on a B-1B Lancer March 31, 2011, at a weapons load barn at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. If fielded, a 16-carry modified rotary launcher will increase the number of 500-pound JDAMs and laser-guided JDAMs carried by a B-1B from 15 to 48, a 320 percent increase in capability.

File Photo: GBU-31 JDAM (2,000 pounds class bomb)

File Photo: U.S. Air Force B-1B flying over the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Air Force has 66 B-1B Multirole Long-Range Heavy Bombers in active service.

 

[sandeepdg]

Here, precisely why I always think that we need a small but multi role long range heavy bomber fleet in the IAF. Look at the firepower these birds can carry, and its a no-brainer that strategic bombers can carry nearly twice-thrice the payload of any fighter over medium to long range missions.

 

[Someoneforyou]

Ellsworth B-1B Simulators Get Upgrade
UNITED STATES - 20 APRIL 2011

ELLSWORTH U.S. AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- The Air Force is currently upgrading four B-1B Lancer simulators here and at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

The $18.4 million project, which is scheduled for completion in September, will fully update visual and sensor databases, as well as projectors and display screens, of the original system built in the mid-90s.

The updates to training capabilities include improved real-beam radar and high-resolution ground mapping radar pictures, making them comparable to aircraft radar imagery.

"Visual and sensor system upgrades also provide imagery to the trainer's laptop-controlled targeting pod display in both electro-optical and infrared modes," said Quinten Miklos, the B-1 simulator project officer. "The benefits of this upgrade include greatly increased sustainability and ease of maintenance for weapon system trainers. The impact of training realism for the aircrew will be immediate and significant."

Col. Jeffrey Taliaferro, the 28th Bomb Wing commander, visited the simulators to experience these changes firsthand, and remarked on the importance of these upgrades for the base, combatant commanders and the joint community.

"These upgrades signal a dramatic improvement in our visuals - we've gone from 'Mario Brothers' to 'Halo,'" Colonel Taliaferro said. "This kind of enhancement to training resources is significant because we will be able to train aircrew more effectively, complete more training and, as a result, build greater combat capability. We live in an era where each flying hour is precious."

 

[p2prada]

And many people assume USAF is the best because of the F-22.

 

[Someoneforyou]

Dyess U.S. Air Force Base passes Operational Readiness Inspection
UNITED STATES - 23 MAY 2011

Dyess Air Force Base, Texas -- On May 14, a team of more than 90 inspectors from the Air Combat Command Inspector General's office arrived on base, and the exercise began at 12:01 a.m. Monday night.

During the following two days, the 7th Bomb Wing demonstrated to the ACC IG team that it is fully capable of supporting any combat operation, anywhere in the world and on a moment's notice.

"This is crucial," said Col. David Béen, 7th Bomb Wing commander. "It proves we can sustain and survive any attack."

More than 1,200 of the 7th Bomb Wings' 4,000 personnel participated in the inspection, which tested the wing's ability to operate in a wartime environment and employ aircraft.

After the dust had finally settled, the 7th Bomb Wing came out on top with a grade of "Satisfactory."

"At the end of the day, it's not about our individual scores but the score of the wing," said Chief Master Sgt. Douglas Mclntyre, 7th Bomb Wing command chief. "I am so proud to say I am a member of the 7th Bomb Wing."

Leading up to the ORI, the 7 BW practiced tactics, techniques and procedures for more than a year and a half to ensure the wing was prepared for the inspection.

"It was critical to our success that we did as much as we could ahead of time to be familiar with the rules of engagement, MOPP conditions, alarm conditions, toxic free area procedures, as well as our technical orders," Colonel Béen said.

Dyess Air Force Base, Texas--Exercise..Exercise..Exercise Staff Sgt. Eric Huestis, 7th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, renders a salute before a B-1 takes off at May 16. The 7th Air Expeditionary Wing's mission is to provide world class Airmen and airpower for the warfighter. \

Dyess Air Force Base, Texas--Exercise..Exercise..Exercise A B-1 Bomber takes off here May 16. The 7th Air Expeditionary Wing's mission is to provide world class Airmen and airpower for the warfighter.

 

[Someoneforyou]

Boeing Awarded $99.5M Contract to Upgrade US Air Force B-1B Bomber
UNITED STATES - 5 JULY 2011

LONG BEACH, Calif. --- Boeing today announced it has been awarded a $99.5 million contract by the U.S. Air Force to integrate three major modifications on the B-1 Lancer bomber fleet. This contract is for the first lot of modification kits of a planned multi-lot production contract to upgrade the service's B-1s.

The upgrades include delivery of kits with parts for the Vertical Situation Display Unit in the forward cockpit and for the Fully Integrated Data Link and the Central Integrated Test System in the aft cockpit. All three programs will be installed concurrently from late 2012 through 2019 in a single modification called the Integrated Battle Station.

"The Integrated Battle Station upgrades will provide B-1 bomber aircrews with a higher level of situational awareness and a faster secure digital communication link," said Rick Greenwell, B-1 program director for Boeing. "This will enable the aircrews to perform at an even more effective level and will make the B-1 cockpit more reliable and supportable. Combining the separate upgrades into one production kit will enable us to deliver a more affordable upgraded aircraft to our customer in a timelier manner."

The three upgrades are in various stages of final ground and flight tests in preparation for installation on the B-1 Lancer bomber fleet.

The Vertical Situation Display Unit upgrades the B-1's forward cockpit by replacing two unsupportable, monochrome pilot and co-pilot displays with four multi-functional color displays, giving the pilots more situational awareness data in a user-friendly format.

The B-1 Fully Integrated Data Link will give the aft cockpit new digital avionics including a Link 16 data link, which adds line-of-sight capability to the B-1's existing beyond line-of-sight Joint Range Extension Applications Protocol (JREAP) data link, and integrates the JREAP data onto new, full-color displays with intuitive symbols and moving maps.

The Central Integrated Test System adds a new color display in the aft cockpit and replaces an obsolete computer that continuously monitors the aircraft's performance. It also is used by ground support personnel to identify and troubleshoot B-1 system anomalies.


Source: The Boeing Company

 

[Someoneforyou]

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) Awarded Contract for Hellads Weapon System Demonstrator
UNITED STATES - 19 JULY 2011

*High-Power Laser Weapon Ultimately to be Incorporated into Tactical Aircraft
*Current U.S. military plans call for integration of the laser onto a B-1B aircraft following the completion of ground testing at White Sands.

SAN DIEGO – 19 July 2011 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA"‘ASI), a leading manufacturer of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), tactical reconnaissance radars, and electro-optic surveillance systems, today announced that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently awarded the company a contract for development of the complete Demonstrator Laser Weapon System (DLWS) for the agency's High Energy Liquid Laser Defense System (HELLADS) program. The contract award follows the successful development and test of the company's HELLADS weapon class unit cell under a previous contract.

"In 2001, GA-ASI pioneered a new concept for electrically-pumped, high energy lasers, and under DARPA sponsorship this technology has developed into a promising new weapon class capable of being deployed on a wide variety of land, sea, and airborne tactical platforms," said Dr. Michael Perry, vice president, Reconnaissance Systems Group, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. "Under this new contract, we will produce a 150-kilowatt HELLADS weapon system that will be demonstrated against a variety of military targets."

The HELLADS laser concept employs an innovative new approach to electric lasers which combines the high storage density of solid-state with the efficient heat removal of flowing liquids. The HELLADS program seeks to demonstrate a 150-kilowatt laser weapon that weighs less than 2,000 pounds and could be mounted to military platforms as small as patrol ships, fighter and surveillance aircraft, armored combat vehicles, and perhaps even UAS. In addition to the laser itself, GA-ASI completed prototype power and heat removal systems last year, confirming that the supporting technologies are in place for a complete weapon system.

This latest contract award represents phase four of the HELLADS program. The DLWS will include a 150-kilowatt laser with integrated power and thermal management systems to provide a compact laser weapon system. Live fire exercises against a variety of targets are planned with the DLWS throughout 2013 at the White Sands Missile Range in south central New Mexico. Current U.S. military plans call for integration of the laser onto a B-1B aircraft following the completion of ground testing at White Sands.


Source: General Atomics

 

[Someoneforyou]

Meggitt Wins Contract for U.S. Air Force (USAF) B-1B Wheel and Brake System
2 august 2011

Meggitt, a leading international company specialising in components and sub-systems for aerospace, defence and energy markets, has been selected on the B-1B wheel and brake system improvement programme by the US Air Force. The programme, with the Defense Logistics Agency - Ogden, is due to commence in early August and is worth an estimated $190 million over the life of the aircraft. The programme includes the retrofit of around 66 bombers.

The wheel and brake design for the B-1B, an eight-wheeled strategic long-range bomber that can carry large payloads of guided and unguided weapons in the USAF's inventory, was first developed by Meggitt in the 1970s.

Meggitt's state-of-the-art solution will provide the best value over all with significant operating cost and logistical improvements. Modernised wheel and brake frame technology enhances thermal management and weight efficiency. The performance and reliability specification was also met by incorporating Meggitt's high performance Nu-Carb carbon heatsink material. This is expected to last almost four times longer in service than the previous product and has been proven in the field by demanding high-cycle airlines requiring frequent take-offs and landings.


Source: Meggitt PLC

 

[Zebra]

Ellsworth B-1 crews employ laser weapon against moving targets for first time .

11 hours ago - (21 / 05 / 2012) .

(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Hada/Released)
GBU-54 laser JDAMs.

Ellsworth B-1 crews employ laser weapon against moving targets for first time : Ellsworth
The LJDAM is a 500-pound, dual-mode guided weapon. It's equipped with a laser seeker, which aids in its ability to demonstrate outstanding accuracy and can be employed to engage both stationary and moving targets on the ground.