文档介绍：8 OSPREY. COMBAT AIRCRAFT SERIES
B-1B
Bomber
LINDSAY PEACOCK
1
Background and Development
HERE can be I"ew modern warplanes that USSR), partly a cost-saving measure (unit cost per
ha\'e experienced quite such a protracted B-IA was then expected to top the $100 million
T de\'e1opment period as the Rockwell B-1 mark) and partly due to the advent of new weapons
strategic bomber nor have there been many which (notably the much cheaper air-launched cruise mis•
ha\'e suffered the indignity 01" cancellation, only to sile (ALC f) which seemed to offer an excellent
reappear in a slightly difl"erent guise. 'ow in the chance of boosting deterrent capability at relatively
process ofjoining the Strategic mand (SAC) modest !-inancial outlay).
inventory as the B-1 B. it has yet to acquire a name As we now know, the arms reduction talks failed to
but in \'ie\\' of its past history there would appear to lead to any meaningful concessions, the new adminis•
be only one suitable candidate, namely "Phoenix", tration headed by President Ronald Reagan seemed
this being particularly apposite in that it relates to a hell-bent on pursuing a "money no object" philoso•
mythical Hying creature which consumes itself by !-ire phy in the defence context and, finally and perhaps
e\'ery 500 years or so, only to reappear from its own most ironic of all, the developed B-1 B was being
'S, ashes. viewed as an ideal vehicle to carry the weapon which
In truth, of course, the B- I's career hasn't been so nearly caused its demise, namely the Boeing
; ir quite so dramatic as that of the mythical Hying ACM-86 ALCM. In many ways, though, the B-1 B is
I'eJcreature. it being more a victim of other considera• perceived as a stop-gap solution, being intended to
tions than of a desire to self~destruct. For instance, fulfil the ration task until such time as the much
cancellation in the summer of 1977 was partly a
political decision (the then-President of the USA, Below: