Exploring the capabilities and history of America's B-1B Lancer

The Fact Sheets further note: "The B-1B holds almost 50 world records for speed, payload, range, and time of climb in its class." These achievements are powered by four General Electric F101-GE-102 afterburning turbofan engines.

On its missile-carrying capacity: the "Bone" has six external hardpoints with a carrying capacity of up to 59,000 lb (26,761 kg) and an internal weapons bay that can hold up to a 75,000-lb (34,109 kg) payload. According to Airforce Technology (AT), the plane can carry two types of cruise missiles: Boeing AGM-86 air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) and Lockheed Martin AGM-158 joint air-to-surface stand-off missiles (JASSM). The article specifies that it can carry up to 24 AGM-158s.

As for how many B-1 bombers remain in service: according to USAF Fact Sheets last updated in September 2016, there are currently an active force of 62 with two in test status. However, more recent data from the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft lists only 39 airframes in the Lancer fleet.

The B-1B has performed notably well in combat operations since it was first used during Operation Desert Fox against Iraq in December 1998. During Operation Allied Force in Kosovo in 1999 and subsequent missions like Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, the aircraft delivered significant portions of total ordnance while flying relatively few sorties.

JDAMs—guidance tail kits that convert unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions—have been heavily utilized by the B-1B during these operations.