arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

>>>"American defence officials say a long-range B1-B bomber aircraft has been used for the first time against Iraqi targets in the air exclusion zone in southern Iraq. " ABC

>>>" In Iraq, a US B-1 long-range bomber was used against targets for the first time since 1998, as Baghdad submitted a document to the United Nations which it said accounted for allegedly missing chemical agents."BBC

>>>" AN American B1-Bheavy bomber has destroyed two radar sites in Iraq in an escalation of air strikes in the no-fly zone.

The B1-B Lancer is a supersonic strategic bomber originally designed to carry nuclear weapons."Daily Telegraph

>>>" A United States B-1 heavy bomber taking part in US-British patrols over Iraq yesterday attacked two Iraqi radars west of Baghdad, defense officials said.

The attack was the latest in a long series of such strikes by Western planes, but it was unusual in that it was carried out by a heavy bomber. The B-1, the backbone of America's long-range bomber force, is one of numerous US warplanes being moved into the Gulf region for use in a possible war against Iraq."sabcnews

Background

The B-1A model of the new long-range multi-role bomber never went into production. USAF acquired four prototype flight test models in the 1970s, but the program was canceled in 1977. Flight test of the four B-1A models continued through 1981.

The B-1B is the improved variant initiated by the Reagan administration in 1981. The first production model flew in October 1984, and the first B-1B was delivered to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, in June 1985, with initial operational capability on Oct. 1, 1986. The final B-1B was delivered May 2, 1988.

The B-1B holds several world records for speed, payload and distance. The National Aeronautic Association recognized the B-1B for completing one of the 10 most memorable record flights for 1994.

The B-1B was first used in combat in support of operations against Iraq during Operation Desert Fox in December 1998. B-1s have been subsequently used in Operation Allied Force.Info on B1