Hypersonic Missiles Can’t Save the B-1B Lancer Bomber

Hypersonic Missiles Can’t Save the B-1B Lancer Bomber

Key Points and Summary – The B-1B entered service in 1986 as a fast, low-level penetrator with a huge payload and terrain-following radar. But modern integrated air defenses (S-400/S-500) blunt its speed advantage, and aging airframes drive up sustainment costs. -Boeing’s Load Adaptable Modular (LAM) pylons aim to restore standoff punch—adding capacity for cruise and future hypersonic weapons—while cockpit/avionics upgrades (IBS, Link 16) keep i…