That first pic needs to go in the impressive weapon loads thread 😀

I have always found it fascinating how designers find ways to get more performance out of existing designs, hopefully the redesigned centre section won’t cause problems like those found on the Super Hornet program.

I found some info where the B-1 CAC is mentioned – Congress and the Manned Penetrating Bomber Debate http://www.heritage.org/Research/NationalSecurity/bg125.cfm

The choice of a fixed-wing Strategic ALCM Launcher aircraft would entail a significant loss of operational flexibility. Such an aircraft would be limited to subsonic flight throughout its operating envelope. Its altitude ceiling would be reduced from 70,000 feet to 42,000 feet. And its penetration speed would drop to .80 Mach from the .85 Mach of the B-1. Clearly, the lower cost of the fixed-wing SAL would not make up for the reduced mission performance it would provide.

Why would a fixed wing reduce the ceiling performance :confused:

This article shows the B-1A with a RCS of 6 square meters and the B-1B with 0.6 square meters. http://www.flightjournal.com/fj/articles/stealth/stealth4.asp

In Don Logan’s book ”Rockwell B-1B, SAC’s Last Bomber” there is a 1979 B-1 derivative called the B-1 Core Aircraft Concept that was 85% common to the B-1A but had fixed wings and was limited to high subsonic speeds. These changes would have reduce weight, drag and cost.

4 variants were proposed, all using the same core airframe but different weapon and equipment fits. (A B-1 was projected to cost $68.5 million at the time).

Strategic Weapons Launcher – armed with 30 ALCM (16 internal, 14 external). Cost $43.3 million.

Near Term Penetrator – 16 SRAM (internal), equipment for low level operations. Cost $48 million.

Conventional Bomber – bombs (in vertical racks), mines, Harpoon missiles, etc. Cost ?

Air Refueling Tanker – fuel tank modules replace weapons, boom operators station in aft bay and flying boom in tail cone. Cost $42.2 million.

Prices were based on a 100 aircraft buy (4 a month) and would have been lower for a larger order.

I think the USAF would have done very well out of buying the B-1 CAC, it probably wasn’t the ideal for the cold war but it would be a very efficient asset for the situation they are in at the moment.