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 Air Force plans to add external weapons pylons on the B-1B bomber, both to increase the number of aircraft that can test hypersonic missiles and expand the Lancer’s loadout as USAF transitions to the B-21 bomber.