Rockwell B-1 Lancer Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Rockwell B-1 Lancer

Rockwell B-1B in flight, bombing.
Role	Strategic Bomber
National origin	USA.
Manufacturer	Rockwell
First flight	1974
Introduction	1986
Status	Active
Primary user	USA.
Produced	Out of production.
Number built	104 examples

The Rockwell B-1 Lancer is a very fast and powerful airplane. It is used by the U.S. Air Force. This plane is a type of bomber. This means it carries and drops bombs.

The B-1 Lancer has four turbojet engines. It also has special wings that can change their shape. This helps it fly faster or slower. It can carry different kinds of bombs. These include very powerful ones. Only the USA uses the B-1 Lancer.

Different Versions of the B-1

The B-1 Lancer has two main versions.

Rockwell B-1A: Only four of these planes were made. They were used for testing new ideas. They helped engineers learn how to build the best bomber. These planes were never used in real missions.
Rockwell B-1B: One hundred of these planes were built. These are the ones used as actual bombers. They fly missions for the U.S. Air Force.

Images for kids

The AN/APQ-140 radar for the B-1A. This helps the plane see things.
An early B-1A plane used for testing.
The B-1A prototype showing its special white underside. This color helped protect it from bright flashes.
The front part of a B-1A. You can see where the crew could escape in an emergency.
A Rockwell B-1A flying in 1984.
The first B-1B plane being shown in California in 1984.
A B-1B turning during a flight show in 2004.
A view of the back of a B-1B flying in 2004.
Inside the cockpit of a B-1B at night. This is where the pilots sit.
The AN/APQ-164 radar system.
The front of a B-1B with a "Sniper XR pod" attached. This pod helps target things.
A B-1 bomber being moved on a truck after it was no longer used.
A B-1B with its wings moved all the way forward.
Moving a GBU-31 bomb to load it onto a B-1B.
The back part of the B-1A, showing its pointed radar cover.
A B-1B plane at an air force base early in the morning.
A B-1B plane on display for people to see in 2003.
A B-1B arriving at an air show in 2008.
A B-1B at the Museum of Aviation.
A B-1B at the National Museum of the USAF.
A B-1B with a small fire near its brakes after landing in 1994.
A drawing showing the size and shape of the B-1A.
The cockpit of a B-1B.
The bomb bay of a B-1B. This is where the bombs are stored inside the plane.

Rockwell B-1 Lancer facts for kids

Different Versions of the B-1

Images for kids

See also