scorecardThe US Air Force's B-1 bomber just turned 30
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The US Air Force's B-1 bomber just turned 30

The B-1 was originally designed to replace the aging B-52 Stratofortress.

The US Air Force's B-1 bomber just turned 30

It combines the long-range capabilities of the B-52 with the sleek lines of a fighter jet.

It combines the long-range capabilities of the B-52 with the sleek lines of a fighter jet.

Its wings can be pivoted forward and backward, depending on the requirements for a particular mission. Wide open wings allow the B-1 to fly high above radar for astonishingly long distances.

Its wings can be pivoted forward and backward, depending on the requirements for a particular mission. Wide open wings allow the B-1 to fly high above radar for astonishingly long distances.

With its wings folded back, the plane can reach up to mach 2.2 — or almost 1,700 mph.

With its wings folded back, the plane can reach up to mach 2.2 — or almost 1,700 mph.

Speeds like this, of course, wouldn’t be possible without some impressive afterburners.

Speeds like this, of course, wouldn’t be possible without some impressive afterburners.

Four massive General Electric F101 engines each provide 30,000 pounds of thrust.

Four massive General Electric F101 engines each provide 30,000 pounds of thrust.

The B-1 led the fight in Operation Desert Storm and has been a powerful tool in many other Middle Eastern conflicts.

The B-1 led the fight in Operation Desert Storm and has been a powerful tool in many other Middle Eastern conflicts.

It can carry a massive payload of up to 75,000 pounds of missiles or bombs, including nuclear weapons ...

It can carry a massive payload of up to 75,000 pounds of missiles or bombs, including nuclear weapons ...

... and drop them with almost pinpoint accuracy.

... and drop them with almost pinpoint accuracy.

When not seeing combat, the B-1 is a popular plane for sporting events and other fly-over opportunities, thanks to its impressive size, speed, and sound.

When not seeing combat, the B-1 is a popular plane for sporting events and other fly-over opportunities, thanks to its impressive size, speed, and sound.

It can be refueled mid-air, meaning it can fly indefinitely with no need to land to fill its 10,000-gallon fuel tanks.

It can be refueled mid-air, meaning it can fly indefinitely with no need to land to fill its 10,000-gallon fuel tanks.

The B-1 currently operates out of Dyess Air Force Base near Abilene, TX, and Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, and a few others.

The B-1 currently operates out of Dyess Air Force Base near Abilene, TX, and Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, and a few others.

Hundreds of B-1s have been produced since 1986.

Hundreds of B-1s have been produced since 1986.

An Air Force B-1 crew chief from the 405th Air Expeditionary Wing launches a B-1B bomber for a combat mission.

An Air Force B-1 crew chief from the 405th Air Expeditionary Wing launches a B-1B bomber for a combat mission.

Fighter aircraft, led by a USAF B1-B tactical bomber, fly over the 4,500-year-old pyramids in Egypt.

Fighter aircraft, led by a USAF B1-B tactical bomber, fly over the 4,500-year-old pyramids in Egypt.

Ground crews prepare B1 bombers of the U.S. 77th Bomber Squadron at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England.

Ground crews prepare B1 bombers of the U.S. 77th Bomber Squadron at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England.

When a plane reaches the end of its lifespan, it isn’t sold for scrap.

When a plane reaches the end of its lifespan, it isn’t sold for scrap.

It’s trucked to an “aircraft boneyard” in Arizona.

It’s trucked to an “aircraft boneyard” in Arizona.

At Davis-Monthan Air Force Base near Tucson, Arizona, hundreds of retired aircraft sit patiently, awaiting use as spare parts.

At Davis-Monthan Air Force Base near Tucson, Arizona, hundreds of retired aircraft sit patiently, awaiting use as spare parts.

Hundreds of aircraft, the B-1 included, have ended their life in the Arizona desert.

Hundreds of aircraft, the B-1 included, have ended their life in the Arizona desert.

This lonely B-1 is patiently awaiting its fate.

This lonely B-1 is patiently awaiting its fate.

The Boeing B-1 bomber changed aerial warfare forever. Here’s to another 30 years.

The Boeing B-1 bomber changed aerial warfare forever. Here’s to another 30 years.

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