US Congress opposes retirement of B-1 bombers

According to an IRNA report on Sunday from the Yahoo News website; The bill, which was passed in the House of Representatives last week and is due to be debated in the Senate, will allow the Air Force to further reduce the number of B-1 bombers by the end of September 2023, except in units that have replaced B-21s. Be, keeps.

Northrop Grumman Arms Company has begun construction of five B-21s, which are expected to be delivered and deployed in the mid-2020s, meaning that the B-1s’ 45-strong fleet will remain intact in the short term. Will remain.

The law also prevents the Air Force from reducing the number of operational unit personnel or maintaining B-1 aircraft if it leads to damage to the squadron’s capabilities.

B-1 aircraft have been in a difficult position in recent decades due to heavy deployment and operational performance in West Asia. This year (2021), the Air Force has retired 17 of its oldest and most worn-out launchers, most of them to Davis Montan Air Force Base in the state, to provide operational support for the remaining 45 B-1 aircraft for repair units. Arizona have moved.

All remaining aircraft, including the B-2 Spirit bombers, are expected to be phased out in the next 10 years, leaving only the B-21 and B-52 Stratoforters with improved engines and reinforcements in the US bomber fleet.

Congress will also allow the Air Force to continue its National Guard Air Force RC-26 reconnaissance, reconnaissance, and reconnaissance aircraft program by April 2023.