The B-1B Lancer, once part of the US nuclear deterrent force, finally made an appearance in Russian airspace. It was taking part in the 2005 Moscow International Air Show and Space Salon held last week. “It’s an honor to fly the first B-1s into Russia,” was the somewhat quirky comment from Capt. Steve Jones, a B-1B pilot from Ellsworth AFB, S.D. Jones also noted that his aircraft was parked about 300 feet away from weapons systems designed to shoot down the B-1. “It’s pretty cool,” he remarked.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
