USAF's Lancer carried a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile under an external pylon for the first time

On 20 November 2020, 419th Flight Test Squadron's B-1B 85-0075 'Scorpion Pride' carried an inert unknown Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) under an external pylon for the first time. Following an external captive carry flight over the skies of Edwards AFB (CA), the B-1Bs expanded carriage capabilities came one step closer to future materialisation. This latest demonstration may pave the way for USAF's Lancer to carry stealthy hypersonic weapons externally.

It was stated that adapting a small number of the healthiest B-1Bs to carry hypersonic weapons is vital to bridge between USAF Air Force Global Strike Command's (AFGSC) bomber force today and tomorrow. Carrying a JASSM by a Lancer is a major step forward in AFGSC global precision fires capability and its goal to pursue these technologies to remain ahead of competitors like Russia and China.

The 419th FLTS prepared a JASSM weapon on what is traditionally the Sniper targeting pod pylon on the forward right hard point. In this manner, the B-1B has the capability to carry weapons and employ them externally. The US shifted the Lancer’s mission to conventional weapons in 1994. The physical conversion to conventional-only armaments started in 2007 with the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), and was finished in 2011.

The current expanded carriage demonstrations will keep the aircraft compliant with the New START agreement, which means the Lancer can once again utilize those features while delivering conventional weapons. This latest demonstration does not affect the Air Force’s request to retire 17 B-1B bombers in 2021.

Photos: USAF