The B-1B Retires In 2037, Not Sooner: Why The US Air Force Changes Its Mind

The US Air Force (USAF) has been aggressively pursuing its ‘Divest to Invest’ fleet modernization strategy for years. One of the big-ticket platforms that was slated to be sunset by 2030 was the Rockwell B-1B Lancer supersonic bomber. This aircraft was originally built to be a part of the nuclear deterrent Triad forces but evolved after the fall of the Soviet Union to become one of the best close air support aircraft in the inventory. Now, with recent battle losses and delayed procurement of next-gen planes, the service has decided to retain it much longer.