First Flight: October 18, 1984 North American Aircraft (now part of Boeing), produced 100 B-1B aircraft for the U.S. Air Force in the 1980s. Cost of the total 100-aircraft program, which included funding for other contractors as well as the funds the Government expended itself, was capped at $20.5 billion (FY 81) by President Reagan in a certification to the U.S. Congress. The first B-1B aircraft was delivered to the Air Force at Edwards AFB, California, in October 1984, just 33 months after contract go-ahead. Initial delivery to the Strategic Air Command took place in June 1985 at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. On October 1, 1986, the B-1B achieved Initial Operational Capability and by November 1986, B-1Bs were coming off the production line at a rate of four per month. B-1Bs are based at Dyess AFB, Texas; Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota; McConnell AFB, Kansas; Robins AFB, Georgia; and Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. More on the B-1B Lancer or clic on the image

B-1B Lancer Image gallery

The B-2 stealth bomber combines revolutionary aerospace technologies and unprecedented design, development and manufacturing systems and processes into the world's most advanced aircraft. The B-2, with its unique flying wing configuration, was designed as a highly versatile multi-role bomber, capable of delivering both nuclear and conventional munitions. In the conventional role, the B-2 will operate with far less support aircraft than other bombers require. That means fewer pilots and aircraft put in harm's way. Its long range will enable it to strike targets all over the world from bases in the United States. With its large payload, it will be able to attack eight times as many targets on each mission as the stealthy F-117 strike fighter. With the proliferation of modern radar-guided air defenses throughout the world, non-stealthy aircraft will face increasing difficulty accomplishing their missions. The B-2's low-observable characteristics will enable it to defeat those defenses, attack the full spectrum of enemy targets and return to base safely. More on the B-2 Spirit or clic on the image

B-2 Spirit Image gallery

Since the Boeing YB-52 prototype made its first flight more than 50 years ago, on April 15, 1952, the Stratofortress has been the world's foremost heavy bomber. After decades of serving as the backbone of the manned-strategic bomber force for the United States, the B-52 has provided its unique capabilities to numerous military operations including Operation Desert Storm and, most recently, Operation Enduring Freedom. Because the B-52 has been kept up to date with numerous improvements over the years, it is referred to as the bomber that is "not getting older, just getting better." The Air Force and Boeing have continually updated the B-52 with new avionics, data-link communications, defense systems and precision-guided weapons capabilities, and are jointly exploring re-engining the Stratofortress fleet with modern, fuel-efficient turbofan engines. Boeing has extended the structural life of the B-52 airframe to at least the year 2040 through a service-life extension program that has become an industry standard. More on the B-52 Stratofortress or clic on the image

B-52 Stratofortress Image gallery