B-1A "Lancer" from Ashland's Strategic Air & Space Museum outdoor exhibit, 10-18-15 ...

“The B-1A, which developed into the B-1B, was the last bomber employed by Strategic Air Command and holds a prominent place in history. The B-1B is still an important part of our present military strength.”

The B-1 program was developed under President Nixon as an idea to develop a strategic bomber that would perform more strategically than the B-52. The B-1 was developed for high speed, low altitude penetration missions. The B-1 uses shorter runways, can carry twice the payload, and has a smaller radar profile than the B-52. The design began with the B-1A as the prototype and evolved to the B-1B. There were only four B-1A’s built and the Strategic Air & Space Museum is caretaker to one of only two left in existence.
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