The 13th Edition of Aero India has already received huge garnered attention from all over the world with an enthralling setup of weapons and aviation systems as part of a showcase coming to Yelahanka Air Base.
With 11 international aircraft delegations participating in the exhibition, a selective number of foreign planes, the most anticipated aircraft in Aero India, will be from the United States Air Force.
Hailed as the backbone of the U.S. Air Force Strategic Bombing Squadron, The Rockwell B-1 Lancer will appear in India’s mega airshow in a Fly By over the skies of Bengaluru. Part of the 28th Bomber Wing based in the Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, the USAF will be sending their trusted beast to Indian soil.
Lancer’s appearance will be quite a spectacle in Aero India 2021. B-1 is one of the most respected frontline bombers of the U.S. Air force. The noteworthy bomber has the long-range heavy blended body of swept-wing configuration aircraft with a capacity of delivering a diverse range of guided to unguided strategic munitions against enemies at a maximum take-off weight of 216 tonnes.
The 146-foot long bomber aircraft has a wingspan of 137 feet, which helps it fly at a maximum service ceiling of 60,000 feet at 1.25 mach speed. This beast is designed to carry a massive ordinance at a range of 9,400 km. Before 2007, all B-1 Lancers were nuclear armament carriers until the activation of a strategic arms reduction treaty, which allowed Lancers to undergo structural and engineering reforms to carry conventional weapons onboard.
First flown in 1974 as part of a design contest for building supersonic capable heavy bombers, Rockwell International won the contest and made this plane as the successor of B-58 Hustler. There were over 100 B-1B Lancers made by 1988, and all bombers were inducted in Strategic Air Command as part of Air Deterrent Leg of US Nuclear Triad Policy. Since then, Lancers have been heavily upgraded to continue their service in USAF as heavy bombers, with a complementing fleet of Stealth Strategic Bomber B-2 Spirit and the USAF B-52 Stratofortress.
Lancer holds around 50 world records in various performances including speed, ferry range, climb rate and combat range. B-1B has seen combat over Iraq, Libya and Syria, with 79% combat operations during Operation Allied Force, Operation Enduring Freedom and Damascus.
Aero India’s 13th year will be the first global level exhibition of aircraft and defense equipment in the COVID-19 pandemic. It is set to be held from February 3 to 5, Aero India is on track to be the most attended show of the year.
