Air Force logisticians believe the B-1 bomber, despite having outlived its service life, can last until its replacement, the B-21, comes along. But its age means frequent, and significant, repairs for its remaining years.
The Air Force’s fleet in fiscal 2019 maintained an overall mission capable rate of 70.27 percent, a slight increase from the previous year. Although some key combat aircraft, such as the fifth-generation F-22 Raptor, which hovers just over 50 percent, sustained low capability rates, service ...