The US Air Force wants to retire the first B-1B Lancer supersonic strategic bomber since 2021 – all aircraft will be decommissioned by the beginning of the 30s

The United States Air Force has not retired B-1B Lancer strategic bombers for several years. But that will change in fiscal 2024.

What is known

The US Air Force is seeking permission to decommission one supersonic aircraft in fiscal year 2024. If Congress approves this, then 44 B-1B Lancer bombers will remain in service.

The previous B-1B Lancer was retired in February 2021. And then the US Air Force retired not one, but 17 supersonic aircraft at once, reducing the fleet to 45 units. It is 45 bombers that remain in service with the service to this day.

In total, the United States had 100 B-1B aircraft. Initially, they could carry nuclear weapons, but over time, this option was abandoned. It is expected that all of them will be withdrawn from service at the beginning of the next decade.