Military budget allots resources for newly designed pylon attachments on B-1 bombers, aiming for enhanced payload capacity and hypersonic weapon testing.
The B-1B Lancer bomber is set to undergo a significant upgrade, as it receives new Load Adaptable Modular (LAM) pylons. These pylons aim to increase the bomber's loadout capacity for heavy standoff munitions, including hypersonic missiles [1][2][3][4].
Each B-1B can be equipped with up to six LAM pylons. Each pylon can carry either two 2,000-pound bombs or a single weapon weighing over 5,000 pounds, enabling the aircraft to carry larger, more modern weapons externally [2]. This development addresses the existing limitation where the B-1B could only carry a maximum of 24 standoff missiles internally, such as the AGM-158 JASSM or LRASM, but will now be able to carry up to 36 missiles by combining internal and external carriage [3].
The U.S. Air Force awarded a contract for these pylons to Boeing, worth approximately $78.7 million, reflecting the Air Force’s push to modernize the B-1B fleet with a focus on flexibility and heavy payload delivery from stand-off ranges, including hypersonic weapons previously difficult to integrate due to size and weight constraints [1][4].
The new external pylons are part of the Air Force's strategy to expand the B-1B’s missile carriage potential and improve its ability to test and deploy hypersonic weapons. This is particularly important as the U.S. Air Force transitions to the new B-21 Raider bomber [2][3]. The increased volume of fires off the B-1B can be done in the near term, providing an important bridging capability as the Air Force transitions to the stealthier B-21 bomber [1][2][3][4].
The Air Force is also pursuing the development of at least two air-launched hypersonic missiles: the AGM-183 Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) and the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM). The estimated weight of the ARRW is around 6,500 pounds, potentially allowing it to be carried by the LAM, although the budget language specifying 5,000 pounds is unclear in terms of test results [1].
The new effort is called the "External Heavy-Stores Pylon program." With the new pylons, the B-1's loadout of JASSM or LRASM could increase from 24 missiles internally to 36 in a mix of internal and external hardpoints [3]. The addition of the LRASM to the B-1 can provide flexible, long-range, advanced, anti-surface capability against high-threat maritime targets [4].
In conclusion, the new external pylons on the B-1B enhance its weapon carriage capacity, support hypersonic missile testing, and provide an important bridging capability as the Air Force transitions to the stealthier B-21 bomber [1][2][3][4]. This upgrade is a significant step forward in modernizing the B-1B fleet and improving its combat capabilities.
[1] Air Force Magazine. (2022). B-1B to Get External Weapons Pylons for Hypersonic Missiles. Retrieved from https://www.airforcemag.com/drone-warfare/b-1b-to-get-external-weapons-pylons-for-hypersonic-missiles/
[2] Defense News. (2022). Air Force to add external weapons pylons on B-1B bomber. Retrieved from https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/04/05/air-force-to-add-external-weapons-pylons-on-b-1b-bomber/
[3] Air Force Technology. (2022). B-1B Lancer bomber to receive new external weapons pylons. Retrieved from https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/b1-b-lancer-bomber-to-receive-new-external-weapons-pylons/
[4] Flight Global. (2022). US Air Force to equip B-1B with hypersonic weapons-carrying pylons. Retrieved from https://www.flightglobal.com/defense/us-air-force-to-equip-b-1b-with-hypersonic-weapons-carrying-pylons/149280.article
- The new External Heavy-Stores Pylon program, awarded to Boeing, aims to increase the B-1B Lancer bomber's loadout capacity for heavier weapons like hypersonic missiles.
- The addition of the LAM pylons to the B-1B bomber enables it to carry larger, more modern weapons externally, such as the AGM-183 Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) or hypersonic attacks cruise missiles (HACM).
- With the new pylons, the B-1's loadout of missiles like JASSM or LRASM could increase from 24 internally to 36 in a mix of internal and external hardpoints, improving its missile carriage potential.
- The U.S. Air Force's strategy with these pylons includes expanding the B-1B’s missile carriage potential, testing, and deploying hypersonic weapons, as well as providing an important bridging capability during the transition to the stealthier B-21 bomber.
