The B-1B Lancer Bomber Has a Message for the Russian Military
© OVER NEVADA -- A B-1B Lancer from the 37th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., streaks through the sky. Carrying the largest payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory, the multi-mission Lancer is the backbone of America's long-range bomber force. It can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Lance Cheung)
In a potential conflict with China or Russia, the US Air Force's B-1B Lancer bomber would likely operate as a standoff "arsenal bomber" rather than a deep penetrator.
Its non-stealthy design and large heat signature make it vulnerable to modern, multi-layered air defenses like the S-400/S-500 and advanced interceptors.
How the B-1B Lancer Flies In 2025
Instead of risking penetration, the B-1B would leverage its long range and significant payload capacity to launch long-range precision missiles, such as LRASM, from safer distances outside heavily contested airspace. Stealthier platforms like the B-21 Raider would be tasked with missions requiring deep penetration.
A hypothetical conflict against peer adversaries like the United States, China, or Russia would feature the extensive use of multi-layered and networked air defenses. In the case of Russia, that country fields powerful S-400 surface-to-air systems, and has a more powerful system, the S-500 currency in development. China, on the other hand, deployed their HQ-9, another SAM system.
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